Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) presented Venezuela envoy Elliott Abrams with some tense questions during a hearing on America's military role in Venezuela Wednesday, as the crisis in the country continues to build.
During the exchange, Omar focused heavily on the historical influence of U.S. intervention in the region.
Omar began by referring to Abrams as "Mr. Adams" before she cited his role in the Iran-Contra affair, which resulted in Abrams pleading guilty to withholding information in 1991. Omar wondered "why members of this committee or the American people should find any testimony" given by Abrams "to be truthful."
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The congresswoman then questioned whether Abrams still believed that U.S. intervention in El Salvador was a success, despite war crimes committed under U.S watch, and went onto ask if he would similarly support factions engaging "in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide" in Venezuela, if he believed those factions were upholding U.S. interests. "The American people want to know that any time we engage a country that we think about what our actions could be and how we believe our values are being furthered," Omar said.
Abrams declined to respond to several of Omar's inquiries, calling one "a ridiculous question" and "personal attack." Watch the full exchange below, via ABC News. Tim O'Donnell
