Secretary of State Marco Rubio torched Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs during a Wednesday House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing after the California lawmaker peppered him with bizarre questions about his footwear.
The surreal exchange came after Jacobs criticized Rubio’s testimony on Iran, claiming he was “unwilling to acknowledge facts.”
“Mr. Secretary, it seems like you have an issue admitting facts… You couldn’t admit the shoes the president bought you were too big,” Jacobs said.
Rubio appeared stunned by the remark.
“I don’t know about the shoes. I mean, [Trump] gave me some Florsheim shoes that are actually pretty good, they fit fine, I don’t know what she’s talking about,” he replied.
Jacobs then doubled down moments later.
“Your shoes look very nice today, Mr. Secretary,” she told him.
“How can you see them? They’re way down here. We’re talking about shoes. Are you guys kidding me? I mean, is this the Foreign Affairs Committee or is this, like, a circus? What is this?”
The shoe interrogation was part of a combative hearing in which Democratic lawmakers repeatedly challenged Rubio over the Trump administration’s Iran policy and alleged conflicts of interest.
Earlier in the hearing, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., questioned whether Trump’s personal financial interests influenced military decisions against Iran.
Rubio forcefully rejected the suggestion.
“Not once. Just to be clear, not a single time, not even for a millisecond, has the president ever discussed his personal economics and relations to war or any public policy that he’s made, for that matter,” Rubio said. “And I’ve been in every one of his foreign policy meetings for the most part.”
As Democrats continued pressing on issues ranging from Trump’s finances to alleged corruption, Rubio grew increasingly frustrated.
“What kind of thing is this? What is this? You know, you get asked questions for five minutes and you don’t get time to answer. It’s not a hearing,” Rubio said.
He added: “Is this a dunk tank? What is this?”
