The first round of impeachment hearings against President Donald Trump in the House Judiciary Committee kicked off Wednesday morning.
The committee has enlisted four constitutional scholars and law professors for insight on the question of whether or not impeachment is merited in light of the facts learned from the Intelligence Committee's report.
One of the scholars testifying before the committee was Stanford Law professor Pamela Karlan, who didn't mince words in response to Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA).
Collins said that the hearings would show Americans "why most people don't go to law school" and accused the witnesses of not reading the Intelligence Committees report, released yesterday. He also implied that they cared more about "presumptions, feelings and hearsay" than facts.
In her own opening statement, Karlan addressed him directly.
Watch below.Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan responds to House Judiciary ranking member Doug Collins: "I read transcripts o… https://t.co/WzVviKpfZP— Axios (@Axios) 1575475295.0
Karlan said:
"Mr. Collins I would like to say to you, sir, that I read transcripts of every one of the witnesses who appeared in the live hearing because I would not speak about these things without reviewing the facts. I'm insulted by the suggestion that, as a law professor, I don't care about those facts."
While Collins didn't respond to Karlan's umbrage, Twitter applauded her.
Good gracious, Prof. Karlan came to do her job and will brook no foolishness. Told Rep. Doug Collins that she is in… https://t.co/GKiaNW6IOu— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sherrilyn Ifill) 1575475044.0
I'm unfamiliar with House rules, so can someone please answer this for me: When Professor Karlan's testimony is ove… https://t.co/M7m3jOKN9v— Jon Zal (@Jon Zal) 1575475078.0
So last week Pam Karlan had to have her meal delivered in the mail and today she’s eating Doug Collins for lunch.— Adam Parkhomenko (@Adam Parkhomenko) 1575478590.0
Wow! Professor Pamela S. Karlan just handed Collins his ass on a platter, and I’m so here for it! 👏🏼 #Courage… https://t.co/jJCGX0igKr— Tris Resists (@Tris Resists) 1575475108.0
Professor Pamela Karlan is my new heroine. What a top woman. She put the dreadful Rep. Collins firmly in his place.… https://t.co/vdNBSIjhLK— Daphne Romney QC (@Daphne Romney QC) 1575475025.0
Professor Karlan is exactly why women are superheroes and are NOT to be played with! All Doug Collins could do was… https://t.co/fnfvy1vLOP— Marcus (@Marcus) 1575475004.0
I just got a new hero today. Her name is Prof.Pamela S. Karlan. Her opening statement,including the way she verball… https://t.co/iw9Tm2H9Ie— Jim Brothers (@Jim Brothers) 1575475215.0
Karlan citing whose testimony she relied on to decide this was impeachment worthy. Making very specific references,… https://t.co/nnc0QfiNGX— emptywheel (@emptywheel) 1575478379.0
The hearings have made Collins no friends.
If Doug Collins is Georgia's best, I'd hate to see their worst.— Amee Vanderpool (@Amee Vanderpool) 1575473630.0
Doug Collins is ranting about something on my TV, ugh why— Seth Abramson (@Seth Abramson) 1575473120.0
“If you’re a white guy, and you say it loudly, with incredulity, and in a folksy accent, then it’s true.” —GOP epis… https://t.co/YN7DEtBTXS— Seth Cotlar (@Seth Cotlar) 1575473828.0
Karlan went on to lay out multiple instances of impeachable offenses committed by Trump.
You can watch the proceedings here.