Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries wonders 'how the heck' Whitaker became head of the DOJ

(Image credit: Screenshot/C-SPAN)

Tensions remained high during acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday as Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) openly mused to Whitaker that many Americans are "trying figure out who are you, where did you come from and how the heck did you become the head of the Department of Justice."

Whitaker attempted to respond to Jeffries but was cut off by the congressman saying "that was a statement not a question." Whitaker has faced criticism from Democrats who are concerned that he has been leading the DOJ without Senate confirmation.

Jeffries also pressed Whitaker on his involvement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

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"It is often said where there is smoke, there's fire," Jeffries warned. "There's a lot of smoke emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue right now ... In your final week, keep your hands off the Mueller investigation."

Earlier in the day Whitaker initially avoided a question regarding involvement with Mueller's investigation by saying the time limit for questioning was up. Whitaker later went on to answer the question, saying he has "not interfered in any way" with the investigation.

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Marianne is The Weekâ€™s Social Media Editor. She is a native Tennessean and recent graduate of Ohio University, where she studied journalism and political science. Marianne has previously written for The Daily Beast, The Crime Report, and The Moroccan Times.