‘You Cannot Control My Answers’: Cory Booker, Trump AG Pick Get Into Shouting Match In Fiery Rat-A-Tat

Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche got into a fiery clash Wednesday over a Paramount-hosted dinner honoring President Donald Trump.

Blanche appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing as Trump’s nominee to permanently lead the Department of Justice (DOJ). Booker repeatedly cut off Blanche’s answers as he pressed the nominee on the dinner and the DOJ’s decision to close the investigation.

“The same day that Paramount shareholders voted to approve the merger, David Ellison, the head of the acquiring company, hosted a dinner that you attended, honoring the President of the United States. While you were at that dinner, the DOJ was still investigating a merger. Did you speak with Mr. Ellison on that evening?” Booker asked.

“No,” Blanche responded.

“Did you discuss with anyone involved in that organization that evening the department’s ongoing investigations?” the New Jersey asked.

Again, the attorney general nominee replied “no.”

Blanche attended the April dinner in Washington, D.C. and the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros merger was approved that same day. The DOJ closed the investigation roughly seven weeks afterwards, according to an Antitrust Division press release