'Torched': Jim Jordan stunned after DC official's snarky retort

A Washington, D.C. official's snarky retort to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) at a House hearing Thursday left the MAGA lawmaker fumbling for a response.

Phil Mendelson, chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, was testifying on Thursday, before the House Oversight Committee, along with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb. Their testimony focused on oversight of the city, particularly as it relates to crime and public safety amid the Trump administration's federalization of its law enforcement operations.

Mendelson and the other officials pushed back against President Donald Trump's emergency declaration, calling it a "manufactured crime crisis" that undermines the city's autonomy.

Jordan, a staunch Trump ally, pressed Mendelson on his feelings on the troops.

"Are you against having the national guard here, or do you think that's been helpful to the citizens, to the families and the people who live in the D.C. area?" asked Jordan.

Mendelson replied that the city officials feel that D.C.'s National Guard troops are a "very valuable and wonderful asset to the city."

He clarified that's "different than having thousands of Guard troops stationed around the city when they are not trained in law enforcement," and "many of them were looking kind of bored with what they're doing."

Jordan appeared to fumble after the retort.

"My time is exp — I, uh, uh, yield back, Mr. Chairman," Jordan said, struggling to find an appropriate response.

The left-wing account Call to Activism flagged the clip, calling Mendelson's response "calm but brutal" after Jordan "tried to act like Mr. tough guy."

"Jim Jordan's reaction at the end is a must-see," the account added.

The account AnatolijUkraine added, "Boom. Phil Mendelson just torched Jim Jordan in his own circus hearing. Jordan strutted in like a tough guy."