Thank you, Chair Khan, I want to start by thanking you and the FTC for your work to protect American businesses and workers and consumers on issues ranging from privacy concerns to deceptive business practices, to unwanted telemarketing and robocalls, to fraud and financial exploitation that targets seniors, service members, veterans, and those in recovery from opioid disorder.

I find it unpatriotic and dangerous when Members of Congress embrace dangerous conspiracy theories that undermine our Federal law enforcement and ultimately our democracy.

We are here as an oversight function. We are not here as a political tool to hammer you.

I, like many Americans, would rather Congress focus on doing the people's business and ensuring that the FBI is able to do its job.

Words matter, they have consequences. When leaders lie or embrace disinformation, that is dangerous.

Most Americans understand that this is not legitimate political discourse and that this kind of overheated and fact-free rhetoric can in fact encourage political violence.

I thank you for your service. I thank the men and women for their service.

We should be asking about, are we doing that to the best of our ability.

Clearly the questions have exposed that we have many areas of disagreement across the aisle.

It was incumbent on the FBI to open some form of investigation when presented with evidence that a Presidential candidate and his associates are either coordinating campaign efforts with a hostile Nation.

Those who have studied this issue recommend that we can make sure that anyone who promotes, condones, or turns a blind eye to political violence is held accountable.