A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee wound up proving just how little chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) knows about the law or U.S. history, with an official of the Justice Department having to give Jordan some embarrassing facts which completely undercut the point he was trying to make.
Jordan asked Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke about a civil rights investigation into Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, which the DOJ has accused of refusing to hire asylum recipients and refugees in direct violation of U.S. law.
“Did Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter have anything to do with the Justice Department’s decision to file that lawsuit against SpaceX?” Jordan asked Clarke.
Clarke told Jordan that the DOJ investigation of SpaceX began during the Trump administration.
“The investigation into SpaceX was open during the last administration, and we filed an administrative action under the Immigration and Nationality Act, an important law passed by this body with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Reagan,” she noted.
Jordan: “What are you alleging that SpaceX did wrong?”
Clarke: “In this case, we allege that the company is not compliant with the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
Rather than accept that, Jordan asked, “They’re discriminating against refugees and asylum seekers, is that right?”
Once again, Clarke had to fact check Jordan.
“No, Chairman. Against people who have received refugee status and asylum status by our federal courts and who enjoy equal standing under federal law to U.S. citizens and naturalized citizens.
“The law requires equal treatment of these individuals.”
Jordan continued to press.
“I just want to cut to the chase. You’re suing SpaceX because they hired too many Americans, too many citizens.”
“And yet you bring the lawsuit after Mr. Musk purchases Twitter, now X, is that right?”
Clarke shut Jordan down by responding: “We apply the laws that this body gave us without fear or favor.”
