Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has said “no” to a request to appear before the Michigan House Oversight Committee. Benson said it’s because the Republican-controlled committee has helped spread disinformation about the integrity of the November election.
In a letter, Benson said the committee’s been a platform for debunked conspiracy theories and outrageous claims. Without naming names, she mentioned the December 2nd hearing that was dominated by Trump attorney Rudolph Giuiliani and Republican volunteer Mellissa Carone that went so off the rails it became a late night show parody.
Benson spokesperson Tracy Wimmer said that committee hearing specifically was an effort to undermine confidence in what was a fair election.
“The Secretary just, as she said, could not in good conscience participate in something that’s really turned into quite a farce.”
Committee Chair Matt Hall said he’d heard Benson express a willingness to appear, and the invitation will remain open. He said an in-person appearance would “help restore confidence.”