On October 25, Republican Representative Matt Gaetz led a group of fellow Republican congressmen into a secure house hearing room just before a witness in the impeachment inquiry was to be questioned. Gaetz and other congressmen present held a press conference before the storm in which they accused House Democrats of lacking transparency throughout the impeachment inquiry process.
Several congressmen, including Gaetz, wrote Tweets from inside the SCIF, or Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. Having phones in the SCIF while it is in session is illegal due to the highly sensitive information that is discussed within these secure meeting places.
Despite calls for the 30-some congressmen to be arrested by Captiol Police, Representative Adam Schiff did not call for their arrest. The hearing was instead postponed for about five hours until the situation was resolved.
Gaetz and other congressmen who participated in the storming of the SCIF claim that they did it in the name of transparency, fairness, and the rule of law. Many of these congressmen have made claims that Adam Schiff’s holding of closed-door meetings is wrong and that their entrance being denied is proof of corruption and illegitimacy. This follows many complaints about the Speaker’s decision not to hold a formal vote on impeachment.
Impeachment inquiries are typically held behind closed doors, following strict procedure. Anyone who is not on the committees handling the inquiry is not allowed in the rooms where the inquiry is being run. Around 45 Republican representatives are allowed entry to any of the chambers where impeachment inquiry business is being held.
Despite the uproar, the Intelligence Committee continued business as normal and heard testimony from Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper.
Joe Doner - Political Editor