Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings defended President Barack Obama's deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes after
The New York Times published a story accusing him of manipulating the media and public to ensure the passage of the Iran nuclear deal, reports the
Washington Examiner.
During the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, Cummings defended Rhodes' record on promoting the Iran nuclear deal, then focused on the Republicans' witness, John Hannah, who was national security adviser from 2005 to 2009 to then-Vice President Dick Cheney.
"Based on the public record alone," Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said. "If our goal is to hear from an expert who actually promoted false White House narratives, then I think you picked the right person."
Cummings added that Hannah's participation is "beyond ironic," and criticized his presence and his role in gaining support for the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq. Cummings was also critical of the fact Hannah helped write the speech Secretary of State Colin Powell gave to the United Nations calling for action against Iraq for its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
According to
Politico, Cummings said the committee has "created its own Republican echo chamber. That is not just ironic, it's hypocritical."
Rhodes did not appear in court after the White House told committee chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah he would not. According to
The Wall Street Journal, Chaffetz called Rhodes' non-appearance "disappointing and typical."
Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that White House aides such as Rhodes are "yes men and fan boys," according to the
Washington Free Beacon.
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