Brooklyn-Born Congressman Quotes the Notorious B.I.G. During Trump's Impeachment Trial

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries made the Biggie reference while calling for the subpoena of Mick Mulvaney.

Hakeem Jeffries
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Image via Getty/Senate Television

Hakeem Jeffries

Day 1 of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump included a number of highlights; the most viral and unexpected which was a reference to the Notorious B.I.G.

The moment occurred toward the end of Tuesday's opening arguments, when Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) gave a speech calling for the subpoena of Mick Mulvaney. The Brooklyn-born congressman also took the time to address Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow, who challenged the validity of the trial by asking, "Why are we here?"

"We are here, sir, because President Trump corruptly abused his power and then he tried to cover it up," Jeffries said. "And we are here, sir, to follow the facts, follow the law, be guided by the Constitution, and present the truth to the American people. That is why we are here, Mr. Sekulow."

Jeffries punctuated his response with, "And if you don't know, now you know"—a line from Biggie's 1994 hit "Juicy."

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Many people, including former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder, were pleased with the Biggie salute.

Hakeem Jeffries - “If you don’t know, now you know.” Biggie (Juicy) breaks into the trial. Brooklyn in the house (Senate).

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) January 22, 2020

Brilliant rebuttal by Brooklyn (and Queens) US Congressman Hakeem Jeffies who at the end of his presentation dropped a #Biggie line,
“If you don’t know, now you know.”

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) January 22, 2020

“If you don’t know, now you know.” — @RepJeffries pic.twitter.com/sLDLbo1cSk

— Laurence Tribe 🇺🇦 ⚖️ (@tribelaw) January 22, 2020

My man @RepJeffries offered a rousing, pithy summary of the case against @POTUS with a fact-based roll call of his grievous errors and impeccable offenses. He eloquently indicted those complicit with Trump, & hit em with the Biggie finish: “And if you don’t know, now you know!”

— Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) January 22, 2020

Just paid tribute to late/great #BiggieSmalls on House flr. Gone but never forgotten. #WhereBrooklynAt @OmariHardwick @diddy @MichaelSkolnik pic.twitter.com/2QaXOkmJdp

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) March 10, 2017

Jeffries, who serves as one of the House impeachment managers, paid tribute to Biggie on the House floor in 2017—20 years after the legendary rapper was assassinated. 

"I’ve got the privilege of representing the district where Biggie Smalls was raised. We know he went from negative to positive and emerged as one of the world’s most important hip hop stars," he said. "His rags-to-riches life story is the classic embodiment of the American dream. Biggie Smalls is gone but he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Notorious B.I.G. Where Brooklyn at?"

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