The author should have used the more accurate word, not "questioning" but more like "interrogating" him.
“Objectives
Students will be able to:-
1. identify how the writers word choice affects the meaning of the text.
2. identify persuasive techniques used in pieces of propaganda.”
http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/10th_grade/dawn_new/language_arts/propaganda.html
Very astute observation on your part.