Homeland
Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told senators Tuesday she "did not
hear" President Donald Trump say the specific word "shithole" during a
meeting with lawmakers last week that she attended.
"I
did not hear that word used, no sir," Nielsen testified at a Senate
Judiciary Committee hearing, when asked if Trump used that word or
similar language to disparage African countries in the meeting with
Trump and lawmakers on immigration policy.
"The
conversation was very impassioned, I don't dispute that the President
was using tough language, others in the room were also using tough
language," Nielsen said.
"I
was struck more by the fact that the conversation -- although
passionate and appropriately so -- had gotten to a place where many
people in the room were using inappropriate language in the oval office
in front of the President. That's what struck me," she added later.
Upon
repeated questioning about the specific wording from Democrats, Nielsen
grew frustrated when Sen. Richard Blumenthal tried again.
"I
have been very patient with this line of questioning," she said, saying
she was testifying to discuss threats to the homeland. "I have nothing
further to say about a meeting that happened over a week ago. I'd like
to move forward."
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