Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI, formerly of the Real World Boston) got a lesson in telling the truth on Friday after Fox News analyst Marie Harf pushed back on his claim that Donald Trump associates had to use backchannel lines of communication with the Russians because “he had a fear that his own Trump Tower was a being surveilled by the intelligence committee.”
The “Outnumbered” co-hosts were reacting to a report former adviser to the United Arab Emirates, George Nader, is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller reportedly has evidence that Blackwater founder and Trump associate Erik Prince attended a meeting with Nader to establish a backchannel with Russia—contradicting Prince’s testimony before Congress.
Duffy tried to argue that because “no one expected” Trump to win, people in other countries were trying to “figure out how to actually get into the White House and make connections,” hence the backchannel.
“To have a back channel is not illegal,” Duffy said. “What’s the big deal about a backchannel? Prince says said he didn't do that, but if he did, there's nothing wrong with that.”
Harf explained while it might not seem like a big deal to Duffy, Nader is reportedly testifying that what Prince told Congress is inaccurate.
“I am sure that [Prince] will have to speak with [Mueller’s team], and there are two stories,” Harf said. “Someone is not telling the truth. And I think Bob Mueller will get to the bottom of that, but what I have also repeatedly said is folks tied to the Trump campaign—acting on their behalf—say they did nothing wrong with Russia. They certainly seem like they are trying to cover something up, and they are acting guilty. And if Erik Prince is a lying to Congress—I am not saying that he is—he has been accused of that, Bob Mueller is going to call him in.”
“A secret channel looks shady,” Harf added.
“Anybody connected to the Trump campaign is being accused of setting up a backchannel when official channels would have been perfectly fine,” Townhall editor Katie Pavlich complained.
“Then they should have done that,” Harf replied.
“Backchannels are not illegal,” Duffy later said. “Just think, when he first took office, he could not have a private conversation with anybody without that conversation being leaked out. He had a fear that his own Trump Tower was a being surveilled by the intelligence committee.”
Off-camera, Harris Faulkner demanded to know why Harf was “shaking her head” at Duffy.
“There is no indication that Trump Tower was tapped,” Harf said. “He just said that, there’s no evidence to back that up that is why I was shaking my head.”
“That will come out at one point in the near future, I think,” Duffy pledged. “Why wouldn't you set up private conversations when you don't think that the conversations that you have are not being listened to?”
“Don't lie about it to Congress then, that’s the problem,” Harf shot back.
“Ugh!” co-host Sandra Smith exclaimed.
Watch below:
