The White House is already wallowing in scandal, but there’s always room for more.
At today’s Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Sen. Mark Kirk asked Eric Holder a simple question:
Kirk to Holder: Is DOJ spying on Congress? http://t.co/G5A6hJH1t4
— Joel Gehrke (@Joelmentum) June 6, 2013
Understandable given the news about the NSA’s secret surveillance of millions of Americans’ phone records. But as far as Holder was concerned, today’s “open forum” was just a little too open for him to get into details:
Kirk: Did DOJ collect phone logs for members of Congress? Eric Holder: Let's discuss that in private.
— Sean Agnew (@seanagnew) June 6, 2013
Unfortunately for Holder, Kirk didn’t buy it.
Check out the exchange:
VIDEO: Eric Holder Refuses To Answer If DOJ Monitored Phones for Members of Congress http://t.co/FGTfvrISMY
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2013
Transcript:
Sen. Kirk: “Could you assure to us that no phones inside the Capitol were monitored of members of Congress that would give a future Executive Branch … unique leverage over the legislature?”
Holder: “With all due respect, Senator, I don’t think this is an appropriate setting for me to discuss that issue. I’d be more than glad to come back in an appropriate setting to discuss the issues that you have raised. But in this open forum, I …”
Sen. Kirk: “I would interrupt you and say the correct answer would be to say, ‘No, we stayed within our lane and I’m assuring you we did not spy on members of Congress.'”
Oh, snap!
Oy vey. RT @RBPundit: Um. http://t.co/Wxwgh21nhF He couldn't answer no? HOLY. CRAP.
— Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) June 6, 2013
If the answer was "no" Holder wouldn't ask for an "appropriate" forum to answer. http://t.co/TbRIhUztmc This is HUGE. #DOJ
— RBe (@RBPundit) June 6, 2013
This looks bad. This looks really bad:
https://twitter.com/graber429/status/342707323854262272
http://t.co/VMMVUO3AoD Holder refuses to give yes or no answer as to whether DOJ was spying on Congress. Translation: yes #DOJ #NSA
— D-Shifty (@deanriehm) June 6, 2013
So yes? RT @mikecatalini Kirk asks if any members' phones were monitored. Holder says it's not an appropriate setting.
— Byron Tau (@ByronTau) June 6, 2013
So, that's a "yes." Kirk to Eric Holder: Is DOJ spying on Congress? http://t.co/1E48CQjR6F via @DCExaminer
— Kemberlee Kaye (@KemberleeKaye) June 6, 2013
https://twitter.com/emgtay/status/342712448693964801
Several people, fed up with Holder’s lies and constant dodging of responsibility, are hoping the answer is indeed yes:
god, i hope holder spied on congress.
— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) June 6, 2013
OOOOh please if there is a God.. Let Holder have spied on Congress!!! I would give up Christmas day for this wish! #NSA
— The Coupon Junkie (@maryneis01) June 6, 2013
With Holder every crazy question brings a vague non-denial. Oh, please let DOJ have been spying on Congress.
— Alan Cornett (@alancornett) June 6, 2013
