Pentagon official starts impeachment testimony after GOP protest causes 5-hour delay

Five hours after it was scheduled to begin, a top Pentagon official provided testimony in the Capitol, where dozens of House Republicans had blocked her Wednesday morning deposition to protest the procedures underlying the Democrats’ impeachment probe.

Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, had arrived in the Capitol well before the 10 a.m. closed-door hearing was slated to start. A short while later, dozens of Republicans — none of whom were members of the three committees of jurisdiction — stormed into the secure meeting room to protest what they argued was a lack of transparency governing the impeachment process.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This should have happened in the light of day, and every member should be able to have input,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyThe Memo: Trump ‘lynching’ firestorm is sign of things to come McConnell: Trump lynching comment ‘an unfortunate choice of words’ White House spokesman: Trump didn’t mean to compare his experience with ‘darkest moments’ in US history MORE (R-Calif.), who endorsed — but did not participate directly — in the sit-in.

“When you’re talking impeachment, you’re taking about removing a duly elected person from office. You should have due process,” he added.

The list of protesting Republicans included a number of House Freedom Caucus members, such as Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzLawmakers from both sides of the aisle mourn Cummings The Hill’s Morning Report – Tempers boil over at the White House Schiff says committees will eventually make impeachment inquiry transcripts public MORE (R-Fla.), and at least one member of GOP leadership, Minority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseMcCarthy on Trump’s ‘lynching’ comparison: ‘That’s not the language I would use’ House rejects GOP measure censuring Schiff This week: Tensions flare over Schiff, impeachment inquiry MORE (R-La.).

Cooper was not in the deposition room when the wave of protesting Republicans arrived, according to lawmakers in the room at the time.

It’s unclear how the hours-long standoff was resolved.

House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving was seen going into the secure room around 2:30 p.m. But Democrats had rejected the idea that they would demand the physical removal of protesting Republicans, even as House rules stipulate that such depositions are limited to members of the relevant committees.

Cooper was summoned to testify because she would have had a hand in overseeing the military aid to Ukraine that President TrumpDonald John TrumpGraham to introduce resolution condemning House impeachment inquiry Support for impeachment inches up in poll Fox News’s Bret Baier calls Trump’s attacks on media ‘a problem’ MORE had withheld over the summer. That decision is a key component of the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, particularly after a whistleblower’s allegations that Trump had dangled the funds to pressure Ukrainian leaders for political favors.

Cooper did not deliver opening remarks when her testimony finally began Wednesday afternoon, according to lawmakers in the room.

Behind Rep. Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffThe strange case of ‘Dr. Trump’ and ‘Mr. Tweet’ The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump faces backlash for comparing impeachment to ‘lynching’ House Republican: Schiff ‘should not be leading this whole inquiry’ MORE (D-Calif.), the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Democrats have been charging ahead with their impeachment investigation. While they haven’t put a timeline on the process, Democrats have said they would like to move “expediently” toward a yet unknown conclusion.

Click Here: Spain Football Shop