Unidentified speaker opens oversight hearing accusing administration of lying and ‘weaponizing’ DOJ

An unidentified speaker opened an oversight hearing by accusing the administration of lying and defaming peaceful protesters and saying the Department of Justice had been ‘‘weaponized’’ to silence critics. The speaker said the session is "a step towards accountability" and that the panel would hear people who had come to testify.

The speaker, identified in the transcript only as "Unidentified Speaker," said, "This administration has lied, has defamed, and has smeared people that have been peacefully protesting," and added, "They've weaponized the Department of Justice to silence protesters, observers, and, of course, journalists." The remarks named former President Donald Trump and Gov. Kristi Noem, saying neither "will be ... forever," and stressed that public officials ‘‘swear an oath to the constitution’’ and do not have "absolute immunity."

The statement framed the hearing as part of broader efforts to protect the rights of communities and to listen to victims or witnesses. The speaker said the committee needed to hear the stories of those present: "We believe strongly that we need to hear the stories of those that are in front of us today." The transcript records no immediate challenge or response to those allegations during the opening remarks.

No formal actions, motions or votes were taken during these opening remarks; the remarks functioned as an introduction to the testimony the panel planned to receive.

The hearing proceeded to take testimony after the opening statement, according to the speaker's closing line in the segment.