“Stop The Schiff Show” – GOP lawmakers storm closed-door impeachment session

Fed up with Democrats lack of transparency in the impeachment hearings House Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on Wednesday essentially stormed a closed-door session connected to the impeachment investigation of President Trump, prompting House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to suspend the proceedings in a remarkable scene.

The stand-off happened after lawmakers held a press conference Wednesday morning where they accused House Democrats of a lack of transparency.

“We’re going to try and go in there, and we’re going to try to figure out what’s going on, on behalf of the millions of Americans that we represent that want to see this Congress working for them and not obsess with attacking a president who we believe has not done anything to deserve impeachment,” Gaetz said.

The Republicans specifically called out Schiff, D-Calif., who is leading the investigation.

“What is Adam Schiff trying to hide?” asked House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. “I think that’s the question so many people have, so many of my colleagues have, so many people in the press should have.”

“Voting members of Congress are being denied access from being able to see what’s happening behind these closed doors where they’re trying to impeach the president of the United States with a one-sided set of rules,” Scalise continued. “They call the witnesses. They don’t let anybody else call the witnesses.”

“We’re gonna go and see if we can get inside,” Gaetz said at the conclusion of the press conference.

I’m gathered here with dozens of my congressional colleagues underground in the basement of the Capitol.

If behind those doors they intend to overturn the results of an American presidential election, we want to know what’s going on. #StopTheSchiffShow pic.twitter.com/c9Ks9VneYt

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 23, 2019

From there, about 30 House Republicans flooded the room where Laura Cooper, who oversees Ukraine policy at the Department of Defense, was set to testify.

Because there was no agreement for non-committee members to be present, this ‘sit-in’ created an immediate standoff. Schiff did not ask the U.S. Capitol Police to arrest or remove Republicans who charged in — but he did leave the room and apparently does not plan to start the interview until the situation is resolved.

Rep. Fred Keller (R-PA) said when the members, who do not sit on one of the three committees leading the inquiry, entered, Schiff left the room. The hearing was halted as Republicans tried to hash out a deal before some were made to leave the area.

“GOP members tried to get in to view documents, staff tried to prevent them, but Reps. Gaetz, [Andy] Biggs and, [Paul] Gosar went past staff, and the rest of the members followed into the room. Shouting commenced, and members chanted, ‘Shame!’ They were then made to leave, denied access to transcripts,” a source who was at the incident said.