How did alger hiss testimony change between august 5 and august 16?

Alger Hiss's testimony shifted significantly between August 5 and August 16, 1948, during his hearings before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Initially, he denied any involvement with the Communist Party or associations with the accused, asserting his innocence. However, by August 16, he had become more defensive and confrontational, facing increasing scrutiny and pressure from investigators, leading him to assert that he was a victim of a political witch hunt while maintaining his denial of espionage. This change reflected the growing intensity of the investigation and the mounting evidence against him.