GOP senator calls CNN reporter a ‘liberal hack’ when asked about Parnas materials

Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) did not respond when asked on Thursday about new claims that President Trump was involved in a pressure campaign in Ukraine, instead dismissing the CNN reporter who asked the question as a “liberal hack.” 

CNN’s Manu Raju asked McSally if the Senate should consider the new material provided by Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas during Trump’s impeachment trial. 

“Manu, you’re a liberal hack. I’m not talking to you,” the senator said, walking through the halls of the Senate. 

McSally appeared to stand by her remarks, tweeting a video of the interaction. 

A) you are.
B) here’s the video. https://t.co/zVgk9pBhdf pic.twitter.com/cfFdotLjFK

— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) January 16, 2020

Democrats have called the new materials provided by Parnas a significant new revelation. His documents and text messages corroborate details over the issues central to the heart of Trump’s impeachment, including an effort to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. 

But Republicans have been dismissive of the new information. The White House also dismissed the allegations, denying that Trump knows Parnas despite claims to the contrary.

Parnas was indicted for and pleaded not guilty to campaign law violations last year. He is reportedly looking for ways to work with the prosecutors in his case who are seeking more details on Giuliani’s dealings in Ukraine.

McSally’s comments come as the Senate decides whether to call witnesses as part of the impeachment trial set to begin next week. 

The Arizona Republican faces a tough reelection in November. The Cook Political Report rates the race a “toss up.” 

McSally’s Democratic challenger, Mark Kelly, raised nearly $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, outpacing McSally’s haul by more than $2 million. 

Kelly is also leading McSally by 4 points among Arizona voters, according to a poll from the left-leaning Public Policy Polling released earlier this month.

McSally has never won a state-wide election to fill the seat. She was appointed last year after it was vacated following the death of Republican Sen. John McCain. McSally had lost her 2018 Senate bid to Democrat Krysten Sinema, who flipped the seat formerly held by retired Sen. Jeff Flake (R).

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine.), who like McSally is facing a tough reelection campaign, questioned the timing of the new Parnas information on Wednesday.