‘A real class act’: Nadler ripped as a bully for denying Barr break & bizarre mask outburst at BLM protests hearing
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler struggled through Tuesday’s hearing with William Barr, being called out by the Attorney General as a “class act” and on social media for preaching about masks while not wearing one.
In the early moments of the hearing, meant to question AG Barr on the deployment of federal officers to intervene in violent protests in Portland, Oregon, Nadler called out several GOP members by name – Reps. Jim Jordan (Ohio), Andy Biggs (Arizona), and Mike Johnson (Louisiana) – for removing their masks, saying they were violating the “safety of the members of the committee” each time they did so.
“Is it not permissible to drink coffee?” one member asked Nadler, to which the chairman quickly replied, “It is not permissible!”
The “not permissible” comment may have stemmed from confusion as Nadler was confused as to who had just spoken and who was next. Jordan had to step in to remind him.
Also on rt.com Dems, media allies cry foul after GOP leader ‘hijacks’ Barr hearing with video showing violent side of protestsThe biggest problem from Nadler’s mask preaching was that his own mask was not covering his face and hanging haphazardly around his neck while he was making his point about endangering others during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members can clearly be heard laughing at Nadler, with one calling the exchange “unbelievable.”
The episode was catnip for critics on social media, many of whom pointed out through the hearing that Nadler had trouble keeping control of the increasingly heated questioning.
Nadler (with mask hanging off his face) tells GOP lawmakers they’re violating committee rules by not wearing their mask. “Is it permissible to drink a sip of coffee?”“It is not permissible!" pic.twitter.com/Ai4K7XbA0l
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 28, 2020
“Jerry Nadler just condemned Jim [Jordan] for not wearing his mask while NOT wearing a mask. You can’t make this crap up,” conservative writer Kambree Kawahine Koa tweeted in reaction.
Rep. Jerry Nadler yells at members for <…checks notes…> not wearing masks ... while he himself isn't wearing a mask.Folks, this IS Congress and we pay their salary. pic.twitter.com/HmvzT5lN2O
— Mary Vought (@MaryVought) July 28, 2020
This is not the first time Nadler has been pictured without a mask. In a now viral video where the congressman calls violence by far-left group Antifa “a myth,” he was strolling the streets of DC without a mask only days ago.
I’ve been in DC for less than 2 hours and already caught NY Rep. Jerry Nadler not wearing his maskHe also said Antifa is a “myth”What a guy! pic.twitter.com/ti1x4bxzvw
— Rogan O’Handley 🇺🇸 (@DC_Draino) July 26, 2020
The chairman also found himself in a tense exchange with Barr at one point not over policy, but over whether a short break would be allowed or not.
Barr asked the chairman for a five minute recess, to which Nadler replied, “no,” immediately earning scorn from Jordan.
“That’s a common courtesy, Mr Chairman, of every witness,” the congressman said.
Barr then accused the committee of making him wait “an hour” in the morning. Nadler replied they were “almost finished” and began stumbling through his words before Barr sarcastically blasted, “you’re a real class act, Mr. Chairman, a real class act.” He then broke into laughter, clearly confused at being told to wait for a break like a child.
BARR: "Mr. Chairman, could we take a 5 minute break?"NADLER: "No."BARR: "I waited an hour for you this morning. I haven't had lunch..."NADLER: "We are almost finished..."BARR: "You're a real class act, Mr. Chairman." pic.twitter.com/kccY05AOn5
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 28, 2020
After Jordan again interrupted Nadler, the chairman broke down and brought the hearing to recess.
Absolutely appalling from Nadler "Could we take a five minute break, Mr. Chairman""NO""I waited for you for an hour this morning; I haven’t had lunch.I’d like to take a five minute break.You’re a real class act Mr. Chairman, a real class act."#BillBarrpic.twitter.com/4bWfmkvrIL
— Heather Champion (@winningatmylife) July 28, 2020
Jerry Nadler attempting to deny AG Barr a bathroom break is an embarrassing display of bad manners.
— Lance Gooden (@Lancegooden) July 28, 2020
Committee member Biggs, one of the ones questioned for removing his mask, pointed to the moment as just one example of the “complete contempt” Democrats showed Barr during the hearing. Biggs tweeted his thoughts once everyone was permitted to take that break.
If the complete contempt for AG Barr throughout the day from House Judiciary Democrats wasn't enough, Chairman Nadler initially refused to give the AG a short break - a common courtesy almost always extended to witnesses.This hearing is almost finished. Thankfully. pic.twitter.com/ysJ4JsFMzO
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) July 28, 2020
Like this story? Share it with a friend!