Leading a CNN panel discussing former White House communications director Hope Hicks’ closed-door testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, anchor John King criticized Chairman Jerry Nadler’s behavior toward her.
When he turned the conversation over to the panel, they agreed Nadler acted poorly toward Hicks.
During her testimony, Nadler referred to Hicks as “Ms. Lewandowski” three times before being corrected by Hicks.
“B, for the conversation, Chairman Nadler himself … repeatedly referred to her as Ms. Lewandowski. Corey Lewandowski was the campaign manager. On several occasions, he called her… Ms. Lewandowski. Her name is Hope Hicks. He fought to get her testimony. He knows her name is Hope Hicks,” King said.
“At one point she said, ‘My name is Ms. Hicks, Mr. Chairman.’ If you’re going to make the case to the American people that you’re conducting serious, credible investigations and you’re prepared, why be amateur and offensive?” King asked.
“It definitely undermines the case. It’s clearly unprofessional for people to be taking pictures in a closed hearing. Kind of unbelievable that they would do that, but on the Lewandowski thing, there’s a big debate about whether it was an intentional slip of the tongue, whatever. Either way, any woman being called something other than their name, being called Ms. some other man’s name is — it’s offensive,” White House correspondent Abby Phillip said.
Washington Post reporter Matt Viser agreed Nadler’s behavior “undermines their case” for not showing Hicks respect because “she is important. She was one of the closest people to President Trump throughout crucial periods of time.”
The transcript of Hicks’ deposition, released Thursday, showed Nadler apologized after Hicks corrected him. “I’m sorry, Ms. Hicks. I’m preoccupied,” the New York Democrat said.
