Acting A.G. Whitaker testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on February 8. Image by Getty Images

By Josh Nathan-Kazis February 8, 2019

Congressman Jerry Nadler clashed with President Trump’s acting Attorney General, Matthew Whitaker, at a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing on Friday, as House Democrats sought to push Whitaker on his role in overseeing the Mueller investigation.

Midway through the hearing, as Nadler asked whether Whitaker had ever “been asked to approve any action or request to be taken by the special counsel,” Whitaker noted that Nadler’s allotted time had elapsed, according to CNN.

“Mr. Chairman, I see that your five minutes is up,” Whitaker said.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Nadler, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, represents more Jews than any other member of Congress. Since the leadership of the House changed hands in December, he has emerged as one of the Trump administration’s most powerful foes on Capitol Hill.

In the days before Friday’s hearing, Nadler and Whitaker sparred over the conditions of the appearance, as NPR reported Friday. Whitaker demanded, and eventually received, assurances that he would not be subpoenaed if he appeared.

At the hearing, Whitaker said that he had not interfered in the Mueller investigation.

“There has been no event, no decision that has required me to take any action, and I have not interfered in any way with the special counsel’s investigation,” Whitaker told Nadler.

Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at nathankazis@forward.com or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount