Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz lead a group of Republicans who stormed a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility during witness testimony on the Trump impeachment inquiry.
What We Know:
- The group’s outburst delayed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper from giving her testimony for five hours.
- Gaetz stated, “We’re going to try to go in there … on behalf of the millions of Americans that we represent that want to see this Congress working for them, and not obsessed with attacking a president who we believe has not done anything to deserve impeachment.”
WATCH: here’s the video of when 2 dozen GOP members, led by @mattgaetz entered the secure hearing room (SCIF) to interrupt witness testimony in the #ImpeachmentInquiry as they demand access, despite not being committee members. They’re complaining it’s a “Soviet-style process”. pic.twitter.com/8KddYz3r9D
— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) October 23, 2019
- The group did not agree with the proceedings being conducted behind-closed-doors. The group also entered the SCIF with electronic devices, which is also prohibited.
- On Monday, President Trump called on his fellow Republicans to “get tougher and fight,” against the impeachment inquiry. This could be interpreted as a move to appease the president.
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The Washington Post reported that Rep. Beenie Thompson chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee sent a letter to the Sergeant at Arms voicing concern over the interruption. It stated, “As such, I am requesting you take action with respect to the Members involved in the breach. More broadly, I urge you to take House-wide action to remind all Members about the dangers of such reckless action and the potential national security risks of such behavior.”
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates.
