‘YOU NEED THERAPY’: Comer And Raskin Have Explosive Argument Mid-Hearing, Chaos Erupts
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) opened Wednesday’s Congressional hearing by outlining the multifaceted threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Comer described how the CCP is conducting an extensive influence and infiltration campaign that jeopardizes several key U.S. sectors, including the military, technology, finance, agriculture, education, intellectual property, and federal agencies.
According to Comer, the hearing marks the beginning of a series intended to uncover the scope of China’s dangerous infiltration efforts and will explore potential strategies that federal agencies can implement to neutralize these threats. However, the hearing turned chaotic as Comer and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) engaged in a fiery exchange, culminating in accusations of needing therapy.
Aimed at dissecting financial records and assessing potential international conflicts of interest, the session saw tempers flare and dialogue turn personal. At the core of the debate were the bank statements and financial transactions of high-profile political families: Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Comer, not holding back, retorted with a broader critique of the committee’s focus, which he felt was misplaced: “No this is a hearing on China and you all have an obsession with Russia and Trump it’s disturbing!” Comer then hilariously added, “You all need therapy, Mr. Raskin.”
“No no, you need therapy,” Raskin said. “You’re the one who’s involved with the deranged politician, not me. I’ve divorced myself from Donald Trump a long time ago.”
The efforts by House Republicans to impeach President Joe Biden have faced challenges. The impeachment push, initially strong, has not sustained enough support as GOP members are divided. The lack of consensus has made it increasingly unlikely that impeachment will proceed to a vote. Despite several attempts to steer the discussion back to substantive issues, the exchange veered into personal attacks and allegations.
On Wednesday, experts with extensive backgrounds in U.S. intelligence, national security, and the military were called to testify on the nuances of CCP political warfare. Their insights are expected to guide the Committee in recommending actions for federal agencies to better safeguard the homeland according to Comer and other Republicans.
At the beginning of the hearing, Comer alluded to the CCP’s strategy of using ‘political warfare’ to influence American public sentiment and government policy in favor of China. He detailed how the CCP aims to create dependencies through economic means like cheap imports and technology, as well as through more direct interference in American industries and communities—including agriculture, education, and technology.
The hearing also shed light on the CCP’s ‘united front’ tactic, described by Comer as a “magic weapon” used to advance Chinese interests through foreign proxies. These proxies, found even in influential circles within the U.S., help the CCP exert its influence far from the Chinese mainland.
Comer went on to criticize the lack of adequate response from federal agencies and the apparent disinterest from some political quarters in addressing these threats comprehensively. “The threat from the CCP is grave,” he warned. “You must step up and recognize what the CCP is seeking to do to our country.”
