House Republicans stormed the hearing room where Pentagon official was testifying

[whopis01]

Source: CNN

As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper was sitting down to testify, the roughly couple dozen Republicans stormed through the three different doors, a source in the room said.

Rep. Bradley Byrne yelled in committee Chair Adam Schiff's face, but Schiff didn't engage. Other Democrats, including Val Demings, screamed back at both Byrne and Rep. Louie Gohmert, who were yelling about the process.

"It was closest thing I've seen around here to mass civil unrest as a member of Congress," according to a source in the room.

The source says the Capitol Police and sergeant at arms have been consulted as members refuse to leave the room.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/impeachment-inquiry-10-23-2019/index.html

[Backseat Driver]

1. Kick!

[LakeArenal]

2. Deplorables.

[sakabatou]

3. Good god....

[LudwigPastorius]

4. Putsch in progress!

These thugs are attempting to overthrow the Constitutional process begun by the democratically elected Representatives of the people.


Schiff needs to have those fuckers arrested.

[mpcamb]

56. Looks like a signal to the base

and a sign of desperation.

[LudwigPastorius]

88. Yeah, Trump wants some of those "very fine people" to take to the streets in an attempt...

to save himself.

I say, bring it you bastards! I've got my trusty gaff tape-wrapped axe handle ready.

Beating down Nazis is a fine, old American tradition.

[Iliyah]

5. Republicans new strategy . . . .

even Senate Republicans enjoyed that.

[flibbitygiblets]

6. are the guards just there for decoration? National security and all?

[PatSeg]

7. Reminds me of scenes we've seen from

fledgling democracies or pseudo democracies around the world where members start throwing chairs and fist-fighting.

I wonder how much planning these goofs put into this childish display - five minutes?

[2naSalit]

9. Well, to be fair...

considering their collective low IQ, it might have taken them a whole day.

[PatSeg]

13. Yeah, true

and probably required lots of drawings and diagrams as well.

[2naSalit]

19. They do make

sharpies in colors!

[PatSeg]

35. And crayons come in an even bigger

range of colors, plus they don't stain one's clothes.

Everyday these screwballs outdo their last display of idiocy. It is still hard to believe all of it real.

[2naSalit]

44. Yup

And yup.

[PatSeg]

11. Trump is getting the chaotic congress he desires

His erratic mindless behavior is contagious.

[Harker]

81. And the Florida recount.

Flap your arms and shout angrily to intimidate Democrats. A proven winner.

[Cha]

94. lol!

[2naSalit]

8. the ugly americans...

I hope they are all arrested and censured.

[ToxMarz]

10. Brooks Brothers riot

Redux

[rampartc]

29. that came to my mind immediately

and the goofy tea party town halls.

[berni_mccoy]

37. +1

[OldManTarHeel]

12. Unfreaking Believable . . The Pubs are resorting to Banana Republic Tactics

[DavidDvorkin]

14. The party of law and order.

[dchill]

46. Tea Party of lawlessness and disorder.

Their raison d'etre.

[Faux pas]

15. I don't know...

why those 'people' think that acting like raging assholes is a winning strategy

[FiveGoodMen]

26. Because it has worked for them in the past

Last edited Wed Oct 23, 2019, 03:04 PM - Edit history (1)

[FarPoint]

75. They are Abusive Personalities .

No difference from there behavior than say a male abuser of domestic violence or an alcoholic in full blown drunk mode. ..They are mirror images of Trump and these GOP storm troopers.

[Faux pas]

93. Lol I guess

but only with the unevolved 30 percent. Too pitiful

[Maxheader]

16. Jackbooted sobs...

Have nothing but obnoxious loud mouths..and like monkeys being stalked by the leopard..they rely on numbers to have strength..

[BlueIdaho]

17. Remove them. By force if necessary.

The GOPs disrespect for the law must not be tolerated. If they insist on acting like anarchists - treat them like anarchists.

[FirstLight]

18. Any updates?

CHecked CNN link but is was almost 30 mins ago...

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. I'll admit I did not think they would sink to this behavior. I'm having a mini-freak out here.

[FirstLight]

25. right...?

I'm worried that we are almost beyond a Constitutional crisis

When all three branches have been infiltrated by those who refuse to follow the rules of law, what the fuck do we do?

[Pacifist Patriot]

28. I share the same worry. I'm familiar with SCIF protocols which is adding to my freak out.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212613538

I have had quite a few bone chilled moments with this administration, but this one is really getting to me.

[AtheistCrusader]

79. I'm excited.

It means we're on the right track and they're scared shitless.

[Zambero]

21. Taylor's opening statement really got to them

Not to mention any leaked details regarding his testimony / committee Q&A's from yesterday.

"Hey, just forget about all that! Look at this instead!".

[BigmanPigman]

92. Bingo!

They have just proven that they know he is guilty, will be impeached and they are desperate. How lame assed this was. They showed their hand.

[Bayard]

22. Capitol Police and sergeant at arms have been consulted

WTF?!!

I read the article, but don't see what they're trying to accomplish here. Just to break up the hearing? No consulting--ARREST their asses!!

[melm00se]

23. Oh c'mon

I want to see an olde tyme knock down, drag out brawl in the Houses of Congress.

It'll make it must see TV.

[riversedge]

24. They are nothing but Repug Thugs

[Leghorn21]

27. Hang tough, Ms. Cooper!!!

How astonished you must be, holy shit

They’re trying to intimidate you - and the whole of America, for that matter - but I hope you can calm down and be okay, and if you have to leave to recover from this travesty, then hey, we’ll do it again later

Have mercy

[B Stieg]

30. Remember the Brooks Brothers Mob that did this in Florida?

It's pretty much been all down hill since then.

[apnu]

32. Its been down hill since Reagan.

And if we're being honest, he started this trip down hill.

[B Stieg]

36. I can see that!

[tonekat]

38. I can't agree more

The so called great communicator started the decline of how politics is conducted in the U.S.

[apnu]

43. Yup. A few years ago I watched his "Government is the problem" speech

During his Inauguration. It was 1980, and I was too young to see it or comprehend, since I was still a child, so I had to seek it out on my own. I can't believe America cheered a guy who's speech was essentially "I will destroy the government" It was profoundly and openly hostile to the Federal Government. Not "This is what I think is broken and this is how I intend to fix it", he announced his intention to slash and burn everything he could, and he did.

Since that moment I realized the Republican party is the enemy of the America. Their intention from that point forward, and they have not wavered once, is to dismantle America.

Newt's "Revolution" in the 90s and his "Contract" was exactly that, more slash and burn. Same with W, and same with Trump.

Trump, at least, I can say this: He's peeled away the politeness of this Republican project. The Republicans used to say "yes I'm gutting the things you need, but its really going to help you later, trust me" Now its "I'm gutting this and if you don't like it, fuck you". At least they are honest about their hate now.

But like a stone rolling down hill, it will continue to accelerate until it hits something it cannot overcome.

I shudder to think what the GOP will be after Trump, stones can't roll up hill after all, so I don't see how they recover from this vile buffoon.

[Saviolo]

67. I'm not so sure.

I think Nixon started it, and Reagan gave it a good strong shove downhill to really get the momentum rolling.

[Brainfodder]

31. Absolute rock bottom has been reached?

[apnu]

34. There is no bottom with Trump in the mix

He always finds a way to sink lower. Its his mutant power, to defy physics and find a new low below the Earth's mantel.

[FarPoint]

33. I hope we get a LIST

All names and pictures if possible of each and every GOP storm trooper there.

[crickets]

40. +1 EDIT- Proof positive Matt Gaetz is an ass.

Link to tweet

https://dailycaller.com/2019/10/23/republicans-storm-impeachment/

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

39. I live in California. I can smell the GOP's fear out here.

Can you imagine what it would be like if the Dems pulled the same trick when the Repugs had control of the House?

[Nitram]

41. So Republicans have officially jumped the shark.

Of course that's a tactic they'e used in the past, most notably during the Florida recount debate, and when tea baggers disrupted town hall meetings.

[George II]

42. Hold an OPEN hearing, show how they act. This is disgusting.

[oldsoftie]

54. I'd like someone to explain it to me; why is it "secret" and why wouldnt they be allowed in?

I am not familiar with how this works. Why are only democrats having a hearing? Or is it NOT that way? Is this unprecedented or have the GOP done the same thing when they had the majority? More questions, i know.....
I'm just not sure how it works or what exactly is going on.

[George II]

66. According to Schiff on the weekend, one of the reasons is so the the other witnesses don't know...

...what's being said.

I'm sure they find out some of it from Devin Nunes and Jordan, et. al., but not all the testimony and details.

[LuvLoogie]

69. GOP is represented on all committees doing the hearings

This stunt is just intimdation tactics and obstruction. Acts of the guilty.

[GumboYaYa]

70. There are three committees conducting the hearings.

The hearings are closed to the members of those committees. Both Republicans and Democrats on the committees are in the hearings and Republicans are getting equal time to participate and ask questions. This is made up nonsense by the Republicans to distract from the fact that yesterday's testimony proves Trump committed impeachable crimes.

[dixiegrrrrl]

85. they are not having a hearing

They are having a deposition of the witness.
All depositions are private, it's a legal thing.
They are using a "secure" room because intelligence issues, not meant for public disclosure, are involved.

There are at least 3 Committees involved, and there are Republicans on those committees as well as Dems, so it is not
ONLY dems in the room.

trump knows of and approved this action, says the news.

[aggiesal]

87. SCIF stands for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility

A SCIF does not allow radio waves from entering or exiting so that a signal can not be intercepted.

In this case, they were questioning Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper.
She no doubt will have sensitive (Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, ...) information that
can not get into any adversary's hands.

Usually, the hearing are held in secret, but not necessarily in a SCIF.

Besides, the (D)'s are holding hearings based on the house rules, that were changed 4 years ago,
by the (R)'s.

One last note, when Trey Gowdy was in charge of the Benghazi hearings, they interviewed witnesses in
secret without Democrats allowed in the hearing room.

[LudwigPastorius]

89. This is exactly the same way that Republicans conducted the beginning of the Benghazi hearings

We all know that turned out to be bullshit, but they established the precedent of hearings closed only to committee members.

Now they don't like it?

Well, they can suck it.

[oldsoftie]

91. OK thats what i wanted to know. And the fact that there ARE GOP members there. Thanks all!!

So if its usually restricted to committee members & both parties are represented, then these idiots have no right to insist THEY be allowed inside.

[Talitha]

45. This shows how frantic they are.

[DeminPennswoods]

63. Exactly!

nt

[Botany]

47. Trying to distract from the facts.

“If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and yell like hell”


― Carl Sandburg

[Retrograde]

48. Preston Brooks would have been proud

Cellphones are so much easier to carry than a cane

[Mickju]

49. Lock them all up!

[bitterross]

50. Shades of the Brooks Brothers Riot for 2000 FL recount

They're trying to do the same thing the deplorables did with the vote recount in FL in 2000.

[SayItLoud]

51. No win situation for Dems

If the intruders didn't get thrown out they tip off tRUMP and twist everything into lies about the proceedings. They got thrown out so will say "what are the Dems hiding" tonight on Hannratty, tRUCKER, Inghram...

[VarryOn]

52. Throw their asses in jail nt

[ehrnst]

53. As if Barr would carry it out... (nt)

[NoMoreRepugs]

55. So committee free for alls are the new normal?

[blakstoneranger]

58. I'll bet

trump is sitting in the oval office with that dumbass ear to ear smile on his face as he destroys our nation and it's constitution. TRUTH: THE MAN IS GUILTY AND WILL BE IMPEACHED---WE ELECTED A CROOK TO RUIN OUR COUNTRY.

[mackdaddy]

59. So what about the REPUBLICANS actually ON these Committees?

Are these nutcases "storming" these hearings not also disrespecting their OWN party? There already are an equal number of Republican Representatives on these committees and have equal time to ask their own questions! Are they not saying their own reps are incompetent.

[struggle4progress]

60. They should be reminded on the rules governing the secure location, together with the standards

of behavior expected for House members, and these matters should be referred to the Ethics Committee for its recommendation

[Bernardo de La Paz]

61. Trump-Republicans are desperate when they resort to goonish hypocritical stunts like this. . . . nt

[dajoki]

62. Reminds me of the...

Brooks Bros. In Florida in 2000, a bunch of cowardly repubs.

[Johonny]

64. But there's no white privilege

[DeminPennswoods]

65. When all these yahoos are rounded up, they should be immediately

escorted to a room along with McCarthy to await a dressing down by The Speaker of the House. If Gaetz or any other of the clowns tries to act up, I hope The Speaker pulls out that Mace of the House and clubs whoever it is over the head.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

68. Go home Gaetz

You're drunk again.

[itcfish]

71. Why all the bullying and

Drama if Trump is innocent? Why are they trying obstruct?

[lagomorph777]

72. Now we know that Byrne, Demings, Gomer, and Gaetz are desperately covering up their own crimes.

Thanks, congresscritters, for showing us who we need to investigate especially carefully.

[Vinca]

73. They're so stupid they don't realize if this was being held in public it would be much, much worse

for them and their cult leader.

[Yavin4]

74. Desperate times call for desperate measures

They're just delaying the inevitable.

[bucolic_frolic]

76. A Federal Crime

Link to tweet

John Schindler
@20committee
The invasion of a SCIF by unauthorized persons isn't protest -- it's a Federal crime with serious #natsec implications. Lethal force is authorized to defend SCIFs. This isn't a joke. Next time Gaetz & his merry band of felons try this stunt, they should be ready for consequences.

[crickets]

83. Why next time? nt

[Guilded Lilly]

77. So lock them in the room with their pizza...

Everyone else, leave, then lock the desperate fuckers in the “secured” room to tweet and video to their arrogant delight. They want to be in there so bad, keep them there. Take the proceedings elsewhere and punish them later.

And they need punished. If they aren’t, Democracy in America will not be respected again. Destroyed from within.

[mahina]

78. We could fundraise at DU for an ad in Gaetz's local newspaper.

I’m sure Representative Schiff and speaker Pelosi will come out with a statement. We could publish that statement in a section of their newspaper so that at least those of his supporters who can read will at least be exposed to the truth.

I’ll find out the cost per inch. Please pm me if you’re in. I’m guessing 300.

[dchill]

80. Makes me wonder...

How big of a force does the sergeant-at-arms have at his disposal?

[beachbumbob]

82. so now its Pelosi's court to exact as harsh of punishment as she can, there is NO other

choice

Now we will see if our leadership has what it takes

[Hortensis]

84. This is a show of THEIR "desperate" action against OUR putsch.

Heroic patriots that they are. The Democrats are trying to overthrow democracy, replace it with fascistic socialism, and they are nobly trying to stop us.

There is no doubt of that. Botany and Yavin are on the right track. Those who imagine this is just silly stupidity really need to take a good look at what's been happening on the right and with hundreds of subverted elections and seating of corrupt judges at all levels.

The Republicans have been increasingly adopting tactics from the fascistic playbook for taking over a government for some time, and Russia's been helping them, including helping corrupt our government and electorate through them, for at least a decade.

How far this goes will depend on the electorate, IF we haven't already had our last true national election. That's to be seen, though the midterms showed clearly that a serious majority believe n our democracy are not at all fascists in training. But then neither were the people of Germany; the Jews weren't the only ones who didn't believe "it could happen" there until it was too late.

Regarding the suggestion of violence in this, I've come to believe a major reason why the Republicans have opposed gun control over the past few years is to increase the incidences of violence and other unrest, including encouragement of potentially violent white power groups. Creating rising fear that causes a majority to call for STRONGER government to restore safety is a major fascistic tactic.

As for this, who organized it and decided on "a couple dozen," out of a couple hundred would create the effect they wanted? Kevin McCarthy of course, likely with Scalise, maybe "the woman" Liz Cheney, and no doubt plotting the whole show with McConnell and others.

“Maybe you do not care much about the future of the Republican Party. You should. Conservatives will always be with us. If conservatives become convinced that they can not win democratically, they will not abandon conservatism. They will reject democracy.”

― David Frum, Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic

[LaurenOlimina]

86. Remind anyone else of this?

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article221722465.html

[YOHABLO]

90. There must be an urgency by Pelosi to condemn these actions with criminal charges