UMVA has learned that a dramatic confrontation unfolded during a House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on Wednesday, involving Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with Ukraine at the center of the explosive exchange.
Keating's outburst began with a scathing attack on President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard. The congressman's fervent tirade targeted Pulte's lack of experience in the intelligence field and alleged misuse of confidential information.
Keating's rant then shifted to Elias Irizarry, a January 6 defendant who served 14 days in prison for entering the US Capitol and now works in the Department of War’s Office of Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and counterterrorism. Keating condemned Irizarry's appointment, labeling him a participant in "one of the most significant incidents of domestic terror in our country's history," despite Irizarry's peaceful involvement in the January 6 protest.
The heated exchange escalated as Keating began screaming about Iran, tying the ongoing conflict to Ukraine, and berating Rubio for not mentioning Ukraine in his opening remarks. Rubio responded with a measured tone, reminding Keating to stay within his five-minute questioning limit, which only fueled the congressman's ire.
The tension culminated in a sharp exchange, with Rubio firing back at Keating, "What's not funny is that you can't even answer questions here." As Keating's time ran out, he appealed to Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), stating "What goes around comes around, Mr. Chairman," before continuing his passionate plea for increased military aid for Ukraine.
