California Sen. Kamala Harris aggressively questioned a witness at a high-profile hearing Wednesday, prompting Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr to silence the Democrat. But Harris refused to remain quiet.
The senator was asking Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein whether he planned to sign a letter allowing Special Counsel Robert Mueller complete independence from the Justice Department in his investigation of the Trump Administration’s ties to Russia. Rosenstein found himself on the hot seat as Harris demanded a straightforward response.
“Senator, I’m very sensitive about time and I’d like to have a very lengthy conversation and explain that all to you,” Rosenstein said to Harris.
“Can you give me a ‘yes or no’ answer?” Harris replied.
“It’s not a short answer, Senator,” Rosenstein said.
“It is,” she responded, cutting him off. “Either you are willing to do that or you are not.”
It was at this point that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) jumped in to mediate.
“Mr. Chairman, they should be allowed to answer the question,” McCain said. But Harris wouldn’t stand down, quizzing Rosenstein moments later.
“Are you willing or are you not willing to give him the authority to be fully independent of your ability, statutorily or legally, to fire him?
