Did Turley really say that? Dems, media desperately try to spin one sentence at impeachment inquiry hearing

Democrats and the media desperately tried to spin on Thursday Jonathan Turley's expert testimony about the House impeachment inquiry targeting President Joe Biden.

A professor at the George Washington University Law School, Turley is one of the most distinguished constitutional scholars of his generation. Congress regularly relies on his constitutional expertise, including at the impeachment hearings for Bill Clinton and Donald Trump and now at an impeachment inquiry for Biden.

On Thursday, Democrats and the media seized on one sentence of Turley's testimony at a House Oversight Committee hearing on the Biden impeachment inquiry to make it appear as though he supports their position that the inquiry is unwarranted and unnecessary.

"I do not believe that the evidence currently meets the standard of a high crime and misdemeanor needed for an article of impeachment," Turley said.

The official social media account belonging to House Judiciary Democrats reposted the 7-second clip. The Daily Beast and congressional reporter Jamie Dupree amplified the quote, as did the Biden campaign and numerous others.

The problem, of course, is that quote is taken grossly out of context.

Yes, Turley said it. But here's the full quote, according to his pre-written testimony:

It is important to emphasize what this hearing is not. It is not a hearing on articles of impeachment. The House has launched an impeachment inquiry, and I am appearing to discuss the history and purpose of such inquiries. I have previously stated that, while I believe that an impeachment inquiry is warranted, I do not believe that the evidence currently meets the standard of a high crime and misdemeanor needed for an article of impeachment. The purpose of my testimony today is to discuss how past inquiries pursued evidence of potentially impeachable conduct.

To summarize: Turley believes that, currently, there is not enough evidence to impeach Biden. But he also believes there is enough to launch an impeachment inquiry, the purpose of which is to investigate whether evidence exists to meet the Constitution's impeachment requirements.

"[T]he House has passed the threshold for an inquiry into whether President Joe Biden was directly involved or benefited from the corrupt practices of his son, Hunter, and others," Turley explained.

Democrats, meanwhile, attempted to tarnish Turley's credibility during the hearing.

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