Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) put on a rubber mask resembling Russian President Vladimir Putin as he headed to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee’s hearing looking into an inquiry into Hunter Biden’s business dealings on Wednesday, making fun of the GOP's attempt.
Moskowitz said to the media outside the hearing that he was there to thank Chair Jim Comer (R-Ky.) “for taking all of our intelligence and using it in the committee,” he said, pretending to be Putin.
“Maybe he can come see the technology in our grocery stores,” Moskowitz continued, taking a swipe at conservative media host Tucker Carlson, who drew criticism for his positive video about Moscow’s grocery stores.
In a subsequent statement, the lawmaker said: “House Oversight Republicans opened this investigation into Joe Biden with the 1023 form, which has now been proven to come right from Russian intelligence. James Comer did the bidding of Vladimir Putin. The mask was worn to provide that visual.”
The Oversight investigation into the president’s son has been sidetracked by the detention of a crucial witness, Alexander Smirnov, who told prosecutors that he received the information he testified about against Biden from Russian intelligence. The 1023 form mentioned by the Florida Democrat was related to Smirnov’s statements.
Comer and other GOP members of the committee have minimized the arrest, stating their investigation is not based on Smirnov’s testimony.
Wednesday’s hearing featured testimony from Lev Parnas, a former Trump administration aide called by Democrats on the committee, and former Hunter Biden business partners Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis.
Hunter Biden has previously requested a criminal investigation into Bobulinski. Galanis is currently imprisoned for securities fraud.
Biden declined to appear for Wednesday’s hearing, which are tied to the GOP attempt to impeach his father, President Biden.
This story was updated at 11:05 a.m.
