Three witnesses testifying before the House committee investigating the alleged “weaponization” of the federal government have been revealed to have been paid off by a Trump ally and have spread conspiracy theories, according to a report by The New York Times.
The trio, George Hill, Stephen Friend, and Garret O’Boyle, have offered no firsthand evidence of wrongdoing or violation of the law, say Democrats on the panel. Instead, they appear to be a group of aggrieved former FBI officials who have trafficked in right-wing conspiracies and have been financially supported by a close ally of Donald Trump.
As The Times describes it:
“The first three witnesses to testify privately before the new Republican-led House committee investigating the ‘weaponization’ of the federal government have offered little firsthand knowledge of any wrongdoing or violation of the law, according to Democrats on the panel who have listened to their accounts,” reported Luke Broadwater and Adam Goldman. “Instead, the trio appears to be a group of aggrieved former F.B.I. officials who have trafficked in right-wing conspiracy theories, including about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, and received financial support from a top ally of former President Donald J. Trump.”
“The roster of witnesses, whose interviews and statements are detailed in a 316-page report compiled by Democrats that was obtained by The New York Times, suggests that Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chairman of the panel, has so far relied on people who do not meet the definition of a whistle-blower and who have engaged in partisan conduct that calls into question their credibility,” said the report. “And it raises questions about whether Republicans, who have said that investigating the Biden administration is a top goal, will be able to deliver on their ambitious plans to uncover misdeeds at the highest levels.”
A tweet from Hill said that the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was a “set up.” Meanwhile, O’Boyle and Friend have admitted to receiving financial aid from Kash Patel, a former aide to Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Trump associate who has testified in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
It seems so far that the only weaponizing happening in Washington is being done by Trump, Jordan, and their cronies. So far, their weapons have shot nothing but blanks.
