Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost

Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost

Durbin pressed the majority witness on the benefits of Jack Smith testifying under oath considering Republicans' refusal to allow him to testify

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled "Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate." Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election rather than fulfilling their obligation to conduct oversight over the Trump Administration. Today's subcommittee hearing is the second hearing in the series.

Durbin first questioned Margot Cleveland, Of Counsel at New Civil Liberties Alliance and Senior Legal Correspondent at The Federalist, about the benefit of Jack Smith testifying under oath given her characterization of him.

"You have accused him [Jack Smith] of being a hyper-aggressive prosecutor, partisan… running some sort of partisan protection racket, unconstitutionally appointed, a litany of constitutional misconduct, guilty of a fishing expedition, [and the list goes] on and on. Would there be value for you to be able to ask Mr. Smith questions about your assertions?" Durbin asked.

Ms. Cleveland repeatedly dodged Durbin's question and stated that she has not seen enough background information to ask him questions under oath.

Durbin stated, "The point I'm getting to is [that] for the last six months, Democrats on this Committee have said to Republicans on this Committee: bring Jack Smith into this room, sit him down in front of the microphone, put him under oath, and ask whatever questions you have. All these assertions, bill of particulars issued by some of the witnesses today, would have to be confronted by him directly, under oath in a public hearing for America to see… They'd [Senate Republicans on the Committee] would rather have the hearings than have the answers."

Durbin then questioned Christopher O'Leary, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) counterterrorism official and current Senior Vice President for Global Operations at The Soufan Group, about the integrity of the FBI given President Trump's weaponization of the FBI and Director Kash Patel's poor leadership and disregard for the institution.

"What is the future of the FBI?" Durbin asked.

Mr. O'Leary responded, "What the FBI deserves, and needs is an unbiased leader, somebody with investigative and operational experience, leadership experience, and a commitment to public service and justice. Unfortunately, I do not see that in the current [FBI] Director [Patel]. He does not have any background or experience and lacks the character and the disposition to carry out the duties that the American people deserve, and the country is less safe under his leadership."

Durbin responded, "I agree with your conclusion, and a great deal has to be done to rehabilitate and resurrect this great agency."

Video of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin's questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

In February, Durbin led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in again calling for Smith to testify publicly under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as he has offered to do, as well as request unredacted versions of the Special Counsel's report, including Volume II, which is still being blocked from public release by President Trump's Department of Justice.

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