‘I Think You Can Hear Me!’ CNN’s John Berman Accuses GOP Congressman of Faking Tech Problems to Ignore Him in Wild Interview

Did Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) fake technical difficulties to ignore CNN John Berman’s questions about whether he supported the Trump administration’s threat to make permanent mass layoffs if the government shuts down on Sept. 30?

The answer is no. A source with knowledge of the situation has revealed to Mediaite that CNN privately acknowledged afterwards that a technical issue had prevented Lawler from hearing Berman during their interview on Thursday.

But Berman certainly operated as though he believed Lawler was faking it.

In a memo to federal agencies, the Office of Management and Budget warned that they will permanently cut federal jobs unless Republicans and Democrats agree to a continuing resolution before the deadline.

After Lawler went off about Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Berman asked again about the proposed layoffs.

“Do you support the OMB letter? If there is a shutdown, do you support the idea of using it for mass firings at the agencies?” Berman asked.

“Well, what happens every time we’ve had a shutdown is that the executive branch has to make determinations as to what is essential and what is not. Barack Obama did that in 2013 —”

Berman interjected as Lawler kept talking, “These are permanent. This is a call. This is a call for permanent. This is a call. This is different. This is different, congressman. Can I get my question? This is a call for permanent firings. I’m just asking if there is a shutdown, I’m just —”

But Lawler kept on talking, as if he didn’t hear Berman at all.

“What exactly is Chuck Schumer’s basis for not passing a clean CR?” Lawler asked, continuing to talk over Berman.

“I’m not sure the audio is working here, congressman, because I’m trying to ask you. I’m just trying to ask you about the OMB letter. I’m just trying to ask you — ” Berman trailed off.

“Zero justification on the Democratic side to oppose a clean CR,” Lawler finally wrapped up.

Berman, though, accused the congressman of faking the audio problems.

“I was asking about the OMB letter. I’ll try one more time,” Berman said. “I think you can hear me.”

This piece was updated to note CNN acknowledged the technical issues.