Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) expressed anger over the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform's hearing featuring two IRS whistleblowers, IRS supervisor Gary Shapley and special agent Joseph Ziegler, who testified that the Justice Department interfered with an investigation into President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, by slow-walking investigative steps.
"Now, here's what galls me. I don't like these attacks on the Department of Justice, the FBI, the IRS, as if they are somehow anti-U.S. agencies. Those agencies keep this democracy in check. … They provide the checks, and they provide the balances," the Maryland lawmaker said, defending the agencies.
Rep Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) just said one of the most disturbing and insane things a member of Congress has ever said:
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 19, 2023
“The DOJ, FBI, and IRS keep this democracy in check [and] provide the checks and the balances."
pic.twitter.com/gTBHLvSmaV
Mfume blasted the hearing as a waste of time and would rather the lawmakers "talk about crime in America that’s affecting everybody."
He added that the committee should be covering "attacks on women’s health, the economy, budgetary issues, public education, housing, the need for senior citizens to be able to pay for prescription drugs, child poverty, and mental health, to name a few."
Mfume scoffed at the Republicans for wanting to strip resources from the IRS.
"I love the fact that we are so much in love with the IRS. In fact, Speaker [Kevin] McCarthy said, when he was elected on the 15th vote, that the first bill that he would repeal funding for was the bill that would provide for 87,000 additional IRS employees. My, don’t we love the IRS? We’re just gonna cut their budget. In fact, there’s a member of this committee who on their own website said that they are proud to have voted to strip away the plan to empower the IRS with additional funding," he said.
The Maryland congressman likened former President Donald Trump's "history of tax evasion" to first son Hunter Biden's tax troubles.
"I want to congratulate my colleagues from across the aisle for gathering us here today, almost distracting us from the biggest investigation that is going on right now in our country and in our nation's history involving the former president and the front-runner for the Republican nomination, who is currently facing a 37-count indictment," he said.
Mfume added, "Let’s just remember, there was a case in New York not too long ago where our former president also got into trouble regarding payments and regarding a stripper and was found guilty of a violation in civil court. … But I’m grateful that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are taking, at least, tax evasion very seriously. I would welcome also hearing on the former president’s history of tax evasion and how long it took to see his tax returns covering ten years, and what was the outcome of that decision."
YIKES: Rep. Mfume RIPS UP his remarks in frustration:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 19, 2023
Hunter Biden "has pleaded guilty and has taken responsibility...! This is LUDICROUS! Beam me up, Scotty! There is no intelligent life down here! None!" pic.twitter.com/afMhERe44c
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He concluded his remarks by calling the hearing "ludicrous" and tore up his notes as he yielded back his time.
"We are doing this all over again for 'The Hunter Biden Show' to someone who has pleaded guilty and has taken responsibility for not filing taxes for two years. This is ludicrous. Beam me up, Scotty. There’s no intelligent life down here. None," the Maryland congressman said Wednesday.