Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, testified before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday and disclosed some pertinent information about the possible illegal activity in which he and his former client engaged. During the early hours of the testimony, it wasn't Cohen who caught the media's attention, but rather a relatable AF reaction from a House member.
Stacey Plaskett is all of us looking at Jim Jordan, the last person who should address anyone’s character pic.twitter.com/z2fKUVHwYa
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 27, 2019
Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Cohen appear to be sparring in a short video clip when Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett turns her head to her colleague to deliver the eye roll of the century while seemingly mouthing "be quiet." It was a glorious moment the internet couldn't help but find hilarious.
Stacey Plaskett gave the “boy bye” look to Jim Jordan pic.twitter.com/usTWwiDqn8
— Erin Ashley Simon (@erinasimon) February 27, 2019
Your face when you're in class and there's that one white guy who whitesplains and mansplains the entire time.
Stacey Plaskett is all of us looking at Jim Jordan right now. #CohenTestimony
#CohenHearing
pic.twitter.com/SWKRbUYoGL— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 27, 2019
Plaskett's expression went viral for all the right reasons, but in case many aren't well-versed on the congresswoman's background, here are five things to know about Rep. Plaskett.
1. Congresswoman Plaskett represents the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Even though she was born in New York, Plaskett represents the United States Virgin Islands' at-large congressional district in the House of Representatives, per her official House website. Her parents are both from the Virgin Islands, and Plaskett received her bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and went on to complete her law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law.
2. Plaskett previously worked in President George W. Bush's administration.
In August 2018, Plaskett opened up to Roll Call about her longtime friendship with current FBI director Christoper Wray.
"Chris, Director Wray and I, we still communicate with each other. I worked in the Bush administration as a political appointee at the Justice Department. I came there to work with Robert McCallum. He brought me in. I moved from his office to Larry Thompson, who was the deputy attorney general, and Chris Wray was one of his protégées."
3. She can walk and chew gum at the same time.
After Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) claimed the hearing was a waste of everyone's time as he had things to do, Plaskett opened her questioning of Cohen with straight facts.
"I’ve got a lot to do, as well,” Plaskett said. "I've got houses and schools to help rebuild in the Virgin Islands, expansion of voting rights, educational opportunities, criminal justice reform. Thank God the Democratic majority can walk and chew gum at the same. So we are here with you right now.”
Now, what was that you were saying, Roy?
4. As evidenced above, Rep. Plaskett's a busy woman.
Plaskett is using her time in Congress to combat poverty, advocate for criminal justice reform and attain affordable healthcare for all. The former prosecutor also serves on the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Caribbean Caucus.
5. She's definitely in touch with her Roots.
The congresswoman told The Politic that Alex Haley's Roots was a catalyst behind why she entered Georgetown's Foreign Service program in the first place. Plaskett also said to The Politic that Lalibela, Ethiopia, and Istanbul are two of several places she'd like to visit in her lifetime. Timbuktu and Bueno Aries, where she'd love to learn to tango, are also on the list.
6. Plaskett was targeted by a revenge porn scandal that put one of her former staffers behind bars.
In July 2016, two of Plaskett's former employees leaked private images of her, her husband and their young daughter online. According to The Daily Beast, a member of her legislative team obtained the photos while he was at an Apple store getting her phone fixed earlier that year in March. The perpetrator, Juan R. McCollum, was sentenced to a year and one day in prison in March 2018 for his acts, per The Hill.
7. We want to be like her when we grow up because:
Now, check these out:
The Best And Most Accurate Tweets About Michael Cohen's Testimony Against Trump
Wyatt Tee Walker: Chief Strategist For Martin Luther King Jr. In The Struggle For Civil Rights
For The First Time In Chicago's History, A Black Woman Will Be Mayor