The new House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), conducted its first hearing on Thursday to examine “ongoing criminal investigations” into the executive branch’s data gathering and inquiries into American residents. He proclaimed the panel would specifically focus on how the executive branch gathers information on and secretly surveils American citizens.
Current and former members of Congress attended the hearing along with FBI officials and several attorneys. Representatives and witnesses discussed the claims that the government targets conservatives, parents and Republicans. It also addressed the conspiracy between the federal government’s executive branch and the corporate media to stifle free expression and peaceful assembly by citizens on the right.
The FBI paid Twitter over $3.4 million of taxpayer dollars to censor stories – including the Hunter Biden laptop story.
53% of Americans made aware of the Hunter Biden laptop story would have changed their vote in 2020.
This is unconstitutional election meddling. pic.twitter.com/9Z26pM22Kf
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) February 9, 2023
The White House predictably referred to the panel as a “Fox News reboot of the House Un-American Activities Committee” and “a political stunt that weaponizes Congress to carry out the priorities of extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress.”
Democrats ridiculously claimed the committee is an example of illegal government weaponization, following the trend started by the previous administration of President Donald Trump. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) was the only Democratic member invited to speak as a witness. He said that “weaponization” is appropriate for the subcommittee and expressed concerns that millions of Americans fear it will further weaponize the government.
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii argued that Americans no longer feel comfortable expressing their thoughts due to the belief that “individuals in our government, frequently acting through their arms in the mainstream media and big tech get to decide what is true and what is untrue.” Gabbard served in Congress as a Democrat but declared last year she was leaving the party and declared her political independence.
.@TulsiGabbard's Full Testimony At @Weaponization Hearing On The Weaponization Of The Federal Government
"We have individuals in our Government often working through their arms in the Mainstream Media and Big Tech doing exactly what our Founders rejected." pic.twitter.com/AK8yl06YKq
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) February 9, 2023
In his opening remarks, Jordan emphasized that the panel is focused on the weaponization of government and the idea that the government is not working for the American people. He committed the panel to promote legislation “that will assist protect the American people.”
Matt Gaetz during the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing:
"I want to assure you both that we come not to trash the FBI, but to rescue the FBI from political capture…" pic.twitter.com/DS44uHElkY
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 9, 2023
In reference to George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, Jordan said. “The government is supposed to protect the First Amendment, not have, as Mr. Turley said, ‘censorship by surrogate.’”
The subcommittee’s mandate requires it to deliver a final report on its findings to the House by the end of the current Congress on January 2, 2025.
