Trey Gowdy Erupts During House Floor Speech Aimed at Dems Making Excuses for Ex-IRS Official Lois Lerner

Speaking on the House floor Thursday, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) lost his patience with Democrats who are making excuses about why ex-IRS official Lois Lerner shouldn't have to testify before Congress about the agency's targeting scandal.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

While some Democrats argue she isn't required to testify because she’s invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, Gowdy explained why she has waived those rights in an impassioned floor speech.

“Mr. Chairman, I counted 17 separate factual assertions by Mrs. Lerner — not those three little sentences that my colleagues like to cite,” Gowdy said. “That is a lot of talking for someone who wants to remain silent! That’s a lot of talking! If you honestly believe you can make 17 separate factual assertions and still invoke your right to remain silent, then please tell me what waiver is.”

He pointed out that Lerner testified that she had broken no rules or laws during her time at the IRS, which he claims is problematic by itself in regards to the law.

“Can you imagine a fact pattern where somebody takes the stand and says, ‘I didn’t rob the bank. But I’m not gonna answer why my fingerprints are on the demand note,'” Gowdy continued. "'And I’m not gonna tell you why I’m on the surveillance footage with a gun in my hand. And I’m not gonna tell you why the dye pack blew up in my car. I’m just gonna tell you I didn’t rob the bank!’ That’s not the way our system works.”

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