Corey Lewandowski slams impeachment-probe hearing as 'all politics' and 'a disservice to the American people'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said in his first interview following a marathon hearing before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday that congressional Democrats organized the proceedings for political gain.
Lewandowski told Martha MacCallum Tuesday on "The Story" that Democrats on the committee are acting out of fear they could face primary challenges from left-wing candidates in 2020.
"What we know is that the far-left wing of the Democratic Party has to have these hearings to protect themselves in their congressional districts from further left progressives who want to take them out in their primary races," he said. "This is all politics, and the truth is, it is a disservice to the American people."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}COMBATIVE LEWANDOWSKI FRUSTRATES DEMOCRATS, AS IMPEACHMENT-PROBE HEARING DESCENDS INTO DISARRAY
Lewandowski said he previously answered questions from lawmakers for more than 25 hours prior to being called before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday.
The former Trump aide -- who is mulling a bid to represent New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate next year -- was called before the committee to answer questions about his contact with the president in regards to the Russia investigation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Speaking to MacCallum, Lewandowski added he came before the committee with “nothing to hide.”
“I have nothing to hide because we never committed any crimes on the campaign. We never colluded with anyone, which is exactly what the Mueller report says, so I was happy to go,” he said.
DOJ USES DEMOCRATS' IMPEACHMENT CONFUSION AGAINST THEM IN COURT
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He rejected a claim by committee member Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., that he was trying to "campaign" via his testimony.
“This is not a Republican primary campaign, you are not on the campaign trail yet. This is the House Judiciary Committee – act like you know the difference,” Jeffries told Lewandowski.
The former Trump aide said he was not trying to campaign during the hearing, adding he hasn't even made up his mind about running against Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., in 2020.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“What the congressman failed to articulate was, I was compelled by a lawful subpoena to show up today – and that’s what I did.”
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He added he also found it ridiculous that Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., would claim Tuesday he should be potentially fined by the House and be subject to an "inherent contempt order."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Jackie Speier wants to fine me? For what? Coming to Congress and testifying in open Congress under oath? I’m happy to do that.”
Of Democrats’ assertion Trump may be “guilty,” Lewandowski remarked they were half right.
“The president didn’t commit any crimes, didn’t collude with any foreign entities and didn’t try and stop the Mueller investigation,” he said. “If he’s guilty of something, it’s of putting America first – and if that's the case, then he’s absolutely guilty as charged.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News' Alex Pappas contributed to this report.