Emily Carter
In May 2019, Tennessee Democrat Congressman Steve Cohen brought a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a plastic/ceramic chicken to a House Judiciary Committee hearing where Attorney General William Barr was a no-show. Cohen's actions were interpreted as a joke and a way to mock Barr's absence and his refusal to testify on the Robert Mueller report into Donald Trump's alleged ties with Russia. Cohen himself stated that Barr's absence indicated that he was not brave enough to answer questions and that he was afraid of being exposed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Steve Cohen |
| Party | Democratic |
| State | Tennessee |
| Position | Congressman |
| Chicken Type | Kentucky Fried Chicken |
| Chicken Form | Bucket |
| Chicken Accompaniment | Ceramic/Plastic Chicken |
| Hearing Date | 2nd May 2019 |
| Hearing Time | 9 a.m. |
| Barr Attendance | No-show |
| Reason for No-show | Dispute over questioning by staff attorneys |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Barr's absence from the hearing
Barrs absence from the hearing
Attorney General William Barr skipped a House hearing on Thursday, escalating tensions between Democrats and President Donald Trump's Justice Department. Barr's absence was due to a dispute over whether staff attorneys could question him in addition to lawmakers. The Justice Department argued that the subpoena for Barr's testimony was "not legitimate oversight" and an "overbroad and extraordinarily burdensome" request.
The hearing featured an empty chair with a place card set for Barr, and lawmakers brought props and traded insults. Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen brought a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a ceramic chicken, sharing it with his colleagues. Cohen pointed to the chicken and said, "He's here," referring to Barr's absence. He also tweeted "#ChickenBarr won't be appearing before @HouseJudiciary tomorrow. The Attorney General shouldn't be afraid of taking questions from counsel or members. Contemptible behavior."
The real fight between Barr and Nadler was over the Mueller report, which investigated Trump's alleged ties with Russia. Barr had released a heavily redacted version, and Nadler subpoenaed the full, unredacted report and underlying evidence. The Justice Department refused to comply, arguing that it had made most of the report publicly available and that a less-redacted version was accessible to a dozen congressional leaders. However, Nadler insisted that all members of Congress needed to be able to read the full report.
Deboning Chicken: Keep Skin Intact with These Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ceramic chicken prop
Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, brought both the ceramic chicken and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken to the hearing. This was done to mock Barr's absence and suggest that he was "chicken" or afraid to testify. Cohen shared the KFC with his Democratic colleagues, and the prop and gesture added to the circus-like atmosphere of the hearing.
The use of the ceramic chicken as a prop was part of a broader message that Cohen was trying to convey. In addition to the chicken, Cohen also tweeted about Barr's absence, using the hashtag #ChickenBarr, which later started trending. Cohen's statement about the Attorney General's absence referred to how Barr was "not brave enough" to answer questions and that a "legitimate attorney general" would not refuse to appear.
White House Performance: Dixie Chicks' Political Legacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$14.39 $15.99
The meaning of the chicken prop
At a House Judiciary Committee hearing in May 2019, Attorney General William Barr was a notable absentee. Barr's absence was a result of a dispute over whether staff attorneys would be permitted to question him during the hearing. To mock Barr's absence, Tennessee Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen brought a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a plastic/ceramic chicken prop to the hearing. Cohen shared the chicken with his Democratic colleagues, and the theatrics were well-received, with one report stating, "People Love the Congressman Who Brought a Bucket of Fried Chicken to the Hearing to Troll Barr".
Cohen's use of the chicken prop was a playful way to suggest that Barr was afraid to testify and answer questions. The congressman made this explicit in a tweet before the hearing, using the hashtag "#ChickenBarr" and stating that the Attorney General "shouldn't be afraid of taking questions from counsel or members". In another tweet, Cohen asked, "Why is this hearing different from all other hearings?", referencing a line from prayers during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Cohen also made his point by stating, "The attorney general is here. He came", while pointing to the chicken. This statement was in reference to Barr's absence, and Cohen later confirmed the meaning behind the prop, stating, "The message is that Bill Barr is a chicken... He was chicken to come to the House Judiciary Committee". The hearing itself lasted only 15 minutes, with an empty chair placed at the witness table to denote Barr's absence.
The chicken prop was thus used to suggest that Barr was fearful of scrutiny and was acting more like a defence attorney for the president rather than the attorney general of the United States. Cohen's use of humour and theatrics added a light-hearted element to the hearing, but it also drew attention to the serious issue of Barr's refusal to testify and the potential implications for constitutional oversight.
Why Resting Chicken Post-Bake is Important
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The circus-like atmosphere
One of the most notable moments was when Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, brought in a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a ceramic chicken. Cohen's actions were more than just a joke or a breakfast choice; they were a pointed reference to Barr's absence. Cohen stated, "The attorney general is here," while pointing to the chicken, implying that Barr was "chicken" and afraid to testify. Cohen also offered some of his chicken to his fellow members of Congress, adding to the light-hearted atmosphere of the hearing.
The hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. on a Thursday, and Barr's absence was due to a dispute over whether staff attorneys would be permitted to question him. The committee had voted to allow it, but the Justice Department responded that Barr would not be attending. This decision escalated the feud between House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler and the Justice Department, with Nadler threatening to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.
The hearing itself lasted only 15 minutes, with opening statements from Nadler and Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia before Nadler abruptly ended the hearing. The empty chair at the witness table further emphasised Barr's absence and added to the unusual atmosphere.
The theatrics of the hearing extended beyond Cohen's chicken prop and included references to popular culture. Cohen, for example, referenced a line from prayers during the Jewish holiday of Passover, "Why is this night different from all other nights?", by asking, "Why is this hearing different from all other hearings?". This playful tone continued with the #ChickenBarr hashtag trending on Twitter, reflecting the public's perception of the hearing's unusual nature.
Spotting a Broody Hen: Signs and Solutions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The subpoena for the Mueller report
On April 18, 2019, the Justice Department released a redacted version of the Mueller report, prompting House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to issue a subpoena for the full, unredacted report the following day. The subpoena was also for the "underlying evidence" of the report, despite a federal procedural rule that requires information from a grand jury to remain secret. Nadler set a deadline of May 1 for the Justice Department to comply, which was the day before Attorney General William Barr was scheduled to appear before the House.
The Justice Department responded in a letter, stating that it would not comply with the subpoena, deeming it "not legitimate oversight" and an "overbroad and extraordinarily burdensome request. They argued that they had already made most of the report available publicly and that a dozen congressional leaders could read a less-redacted report with only grand jury material removed. However, Nadler maintained that this was not enough and that all members of Congress needed to be able to read the full report. He threatened to "have no choice but to move quickly to hold the attorney general in contempt" if his demands were not met.
The subpoena set up a potential legal battle with the Justice Department, as the House Judiciary Committee sought to obtain the full findings and underlying materials of the Mueller report. The report, which was 448 pages long, documented numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump Campaign and 11 possible instances of obstruction of justice. However, it did not conclude that the President or his campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russians and did not reach a conclusion on obstruction of justice.
The hearing on Thursday, where Attorney General William Barr was expected to appear as a witness, took on a circus-like atmosphere, with lawmakers bringing props and trading insults. Notably, Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, brought in a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a ceramic chicken, sharing his food with his Democratic colleagues. Cohen's actions were intended to mock Barr's absence from the hearing, with the chicken symbolizing that Barr was "chicken" and afraid to testify.
Building a Roofed Chicken Run: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Congressman Steve Cohen brought a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken to the House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing where Attorney General William Barr was a no-show.
Cohen brought the bucket of chicken to suggest that Barr was afraid to testify and to criticise his refusal to appear at an oversight hearing.
Cohen said, "The message is Attorney General Bill Barr is not brave enough to answer questions from a staff attorney and members of the Judiciary Committee. A legitimate attorney general would not refuse to appear at an oversight hearing but Barr is fearful our questions would expose his duplicity and prove once again that he is the president's fixer, not the nation's top law enforcement official."
People on Twitter reacted positively to Cohen's gesture, with some calling it a troll and others referring to Barr as "#ChickenBarr".
