Tensions erupt: Armenianophile senator slams environmental official after “aspiring fiction writer” remark

Tensions flared during a US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on May 21 when Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin referred to California Democrat Representative Adam Schiff as an “aspiring fiction writer.”

The comment quickly set off a heated exchange, with Schiff retaliating sharply at Zeldin's remarks, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Schiff, visibly angered, berated Zeldin, accusing the EPA chief of failing to address critical issues such as unsafe drinking water. “You don’t give a rat’s ass,” Schiff responded, directing his frustration at Zeldin over what he perceived as the EPA's inadequate attention to water safety concerns, particularly for children.

The confrontation added fuel to ongoing tensions between the two politicians, with Schiff, known for his prominent role in the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol insurrection, continuing to challenge Zeldin on his environmental record.

Schiff’s involvement in the January 6 investigation, which was seen by many as biased, had previously earned him a preemptive pardon from the Trump administration, a detail that has continued to follow him in public discourse. Trump himself famously dubbed Schiff “pencil neck,” adding a personal layer to the ongoing political and public spat.

The exchange underscored the broader partisan divide on issues ranging from environmental policy to the investigation of the January 6 events, and set the stage for further clashes as the Senate committee hearings continue.

By Vafa Guliyeva