From the New York Times, I'm Michael Barbaro. This is the Daily.

Today, a government hearing gets overtaken by the fight over whether the president used the word he's reported to have used.

Why it matters so much to members of Congress? And Steve Vanne becomes the first member of Trump's inner circle to be subpoenaed in the Mueller investigation.

It's Wednesday, January 17th.

So on Tuesday morning, there's a hearing scheduled in the Senate Judiciary Committee to talk about different options for a border wall.

Julie Davis watched the hearing on Tuesday, but it came at sort of a tricky time.

Are you saying the president did not use the word that has been so widely reported?

Because I'm telling you he did not use that word, George, and I'm telling you it's a gross misrepresentation. How many times do you want me to say that?

The last few days have been consumed with this debate going on between the White House and Republican and Democratic senators about what was said by President Trump in this Oval Office meeting last week.

I did not hear derogatory comments about individuals or persons.

When he is reported to have said that African countries who send immigrants here are shit hole countries.

I'm not a racist. I am the least racist person. You have never interviewed that I can tell you.

And so...

Do you affirm that the testimony you're about to give before the committee will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you, Dad.

What's happening in this hearing?

I cheer him in Grassley, Brinking Member, Feinstein, and Members of the Committee.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.

The protagonist here is Kirsten Nielsen. She is the somewhat new Homeland Security Secretary.

And she is the top official at the department, so she would naturally be there to talk about border walls.

But she also happens to have been one of the administration officials in the Oval Office last Thursday when the president made these remarks that have caused so much ruckus.

Madam Secretary, I hope you remember me.

Almost immediately.

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