On Tuesday, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski announced the launch of a campaign website to bolster a potential run for U.S. Senate while he was testifying in a Democrat hearing focused on the potential impeachment of President Donald Trump. In that hearing, Lewandowski defended Trump and mocked Hillary Clinton, earning praise from the president.
The hearing focused on whether or not Trump committed obstruction of justice and deserves to be impeached for that reason. Lewandowski argued that illegal activity came on the other side of the aisle.
Speaking of the Mueller investigation, he said, “It is now clear the investigation was populated by many Trump haters who had their own agenda – to try and take down a duly elected president of the United States. As for actual collusion or conspiracy, there was none. What there has been, however, is harassment of this president from the day he won the election.”
WATCH: Corey Lewandowski's full opening statement
“We as a nation would be better served if elected officials like you concentrated your efforts to combat the true crises facing our country as opposed to going down rabbit holes like this hearing.” pic.twitter.com/g2AQjghb2C
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 17, 2019
Trump praised Lewandowski’s opening statement, tweeting, “Such a beautiful Opening Statement by Corey Lewandowski! Thank you Corey!”
Such a beautiful Opening Statement by Corey Lewandowski! Thank you Corey! @CLewandowski_
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 17, 2019
In that statement, Lewandowski cast shade at former secretary of State and former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying that during his time as campaign manager, he received hundreds of thousands of emails, but did not delete them.
“I also received hundreds of thousands of emails, some days with as many as 1,000 emails — and unlike Hillary Clinton, I don’t think I ever deleted any of those,” Lewandowski quipped.
Corey Lewandowski: "I also received hundreds of thousands of emails, some days with as many as 1,000 emails — and unlike Hillary Clinton, I don't think I ever deleted any of those." pic.twitter.com/ESzG0cTYn6
— The Hill (@thehill) September 17, 2019
The hearing quickly devolved into chaos, as Trump’s former campaign manager attacked Democrats for making it an impeachment inquiry and Democrats launched into anti-Trump rants. As former presidential candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) engaged in hostile questioning against him, Lewandowski mocked the former candidate by calling him “President Swalwell.”
Corey Lewandowski mocks Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell's failed presidential campaign, calls him "President Swalwell" pic.twitter.com/izHYuJUR5t
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 17, 2019
Rep. Shiela Jackson Lee (D-Fla.) launched into a high-speed rant against Trump’s campaign, then demanded Lewandowski answer a question she had not posed.
Rep. Nadler: "The witness may answer the question."
Lewandowski: "I don't believe there was a question Congressman."
Rep. Jackson Lee: "Yes there was."
CL: "Could you repeat the question? I didn't hear it."
SJL: "I'd be happy to repeat the question."
CL: "Just a rant." pic.twitter.com/cNFkwgy3iE
— The Hill (@thehill) September 17, 2019
At one point, Lewandowski said of the Democrats, “I think they hate this president more than they love this country.”
Corey Lewandowski to @RepMattGaetz: "I think they hate this president more than they love their country." pic.twitter.com/NVKWgq0bao
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 17, 2019
During his testimony, Lewandowski tweeted out his appreciation for Trump’s support and also announced his potential run for U.S. Senate. While he had announced on August 1 that he was “very seriously” considering running against Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), his recent tweets tied his testimony to that Senate run.
“Thank you [Donald Trump],” he tweeted. “No collusion no obstruction — the American people know it, and Ill [sic] continue to remind them.” He included the hashtags “Senate 2020” and “Stand with Corey.”
Thank you @realDonaldTrump. No collusion no obstruction — the American people know it, and lll continue to remind them. #Senate2020. #StandwithCorey https://t.co/l157pZLgqV
— Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) September 17, 2019
In a follow-up tweet, he directed people to a “new website just launched to help a potential senate run,” urging followers to “Sign up now!”
New website just launched to help a potential senate run. Sign up now! https://t.co/WlI11PaQ7M
— Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) September 17, 2019
While Democrats are clearly engaging in this impeachment investigation to score political points, Lewandowski decided to use the hearing for his own purposes as well. It appears the former campaign manager chose this moment to make his potential Senate run that much more serious. He still may not decide to enter the race, but that seems increasingly unlikely.
Welcome to congressional hearings in 2019: political theater at its finest most annoying.
Follow Tyler O’Neil, the author of this article, on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
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