The Thursday hearing regarding the FBI Director's decision to not indict Hillary Clinton had multiple moments where members of congress took the discussion off topic.
FBI Director James Comey answered questions regarding the FBI's investigation of Hillary Clinton and her conduct as Secretary of State. Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee presided over the hearing, but four stood out for their unusual remarks.
Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo): Donald Trump, White Supremacists
Clay questioned Comey on the danger of white supremacist groups and their growth. He asked Comey what he thought of the phrase #whitegenocide appearing on Twitter. He asked Comey for his thoughts on Donald Trump re-tweeting tweets by users who follow accounts which mention #whitegenocide. Clay never mentioned how white supremacist groups, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton's emails were related.
Comey reassured Clay that the growth of white supremacist groups was concerning.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ): Police BrutalityWatson Coleman complained to Comey about police brutality. While two tragic incidents occurred recently, they were not the topic of discussion in the hearing. Rep. Elijah Cummings echoed her remarks.
Bonnie Watson Coleman has trouble staying on topic.#ComeyHearing https://t.co/a15aTQgPie
— WiserInTime (@WiserInTime) July 7, 2016
Comey reassured Watson that these deaths were concerning.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va): Trump and company
Connolly criticized Donald Trump and the other Republicans in the room. He called the hearing "political theatre" and claimed it was an attempt to "discredit" Comey. He followed this statement with an allusion to Trump:
One side is about to nominate somebody who was a pathological narcissist, who is talking about banning Muslims, Mexicans crossing the border are all rapists and women who are pigs.
Connolly told Comey that by not advising the Attorney General to indict Clinton, he removed the GOP's "only hope."
Rep. John Mica (R-Fl): Hamilton musical
Representative John Mica referenced Hamilton's Tony award for choreography, comparing it to recent "choreographed" events such as the meeting between Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. He had a printed timeline of events involving the Clintons, Lynch, and the investigation.
Comey said he hadn't had a chance to attend the musical yet but wanted to see it.
The hearing lasted for almost five hours.