Watch Ilhan Omar grill Venezuela envoy Elliott Abrams about U.S. intervention in Latin America
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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published