Florida Democrat wears Putin mask to impeachment hearing

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) wore a rubber mask of Russian President Vladimir Putin on his way to a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing investigating Hunter Biden’s business dealings on Wednesday. worn to mock Republican efforts.

Moskowitz spoke to the media outside the hearing. The Putin actor said he was there to thank Chairman Jim Comer (R-Ky.) for “gathering all of our information and using it on the committee.”

“Maybe he’ll come and see the technology we have in our grocery stores,” Moskowitz continued, referring to the conservative media host who drew criticism for his glowing videos about Moscow grocery stores. Attacked Tucker Carlson.

“House Oversight Republicans initiated this investigation into Joe Biden with a 1023 form that has now been proven to be from Russian intelligence,” the congressman said in a subsequent statement. James Comer followed Vladimir Putin’s orders. Masks were worn to provide that visual. ”

The surveillance agency’s investigation into the president’s son has been sidetracked by the arrest of key witness Alexander Smirnov, who told prosecutors he received information about his testimony against Biden from Russian intelligence. did. The 1023 form mentioned by the Florida Democratic Party was related to Smirnov’s remarks.

Mr. Comer and other Republican committee members downplayed the arrest and argued that the investigation was not based on Mr. Smirnov’s testimony.

Wednesday’s hearing featured testimony from former Trump administration aide Lev Parnas, who was called to the committee by Democrats, and Hunter Biden’s former business partners Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis.

Hunter Biden had previously called for a criminal investigation into Bobulinski. Galanis is currently in prison on securities fraud charges.

Biden declined to appear at Wednesday’s hearing related to the Republican effort to impeach his father, President Biden.

This article was updated at 11:05 a.m.