Democrat suggests Republicans took acting classes based on ability to ‘suspend disbelief’

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) suggested Thursday during a Judiciary Committee debate on impeachment articles that Republicans took acting classes based on their ability to “suspend disbelief.” 

“I took theater and drama when I was in college, just one course, and I was told the first thing you have to do is a willing suspension of disbelief. Republicans obviously took that course over and over and over again,” he quipped. 

Cohen then went on to discuss the testimony of Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland and his discussion of a quid pro quo in President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. 

Top Judiciary Republican Doug Collins (Ga.) fired back at Cohen, saying his colleague has an understanding of “props and theatrics.”

“The gentleman from Tennessee, he just answered a ton of questions for me about his understanding of props and theatrics by his study of drama in his higher education,” Collins said. 

“Folks who study drama also understand you read the lines. You can read the transcript,” he added, referring to a rough transcript of Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president released by the White House. 

He also accused Cohen of making up facts and said Democrats chose to accuse Trump of abuse of power as a cover to “make up anything they want and call it abuse of power.”

The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday debated articles of impeachment introduced by Democrats this week accusing the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. 

Trump has denied any wrongdoing.