South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham condemned as “nuts” the actions of more than two dozen House Republicans who stormed a closed-door deposition of Defense Department official Laura Cooper on Wednesday afternoon.
“They’re making a run in the SCIF! That’s not the way to do it. That’s nuts,” Graham said as the GOP House members remained in the Capitol basement, stalling the House Intelligence Committee’s questioning of Cooper. The group of rogue congresspeople was led by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been sharply critical of the Democrats’ secrecy in the early stages of an impeachment probe against President Trump.
South Carolina Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC not a fan of the House GOP sit-in protest that has disrupted impeachment depositions today.
“They’re making a run in the SCIF! That’s not the way to do it. That’s nuts”
— Lindsay Wise (@lindsaywise) October 23, 2019
Gaetz, joined by more than two dozen other House Republicans, including Minority Whip Steve Scalise, barged through the doors into the SCIF, many with their cellphones in hand, which is a violation of the policy in closed-door meetings. Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff reportedly left the room with Cooper as the Republicans arrived in protest.
The actions of the House Republicans, which represented support for Trump against the impeachment inquiry, drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Democrats slammed the lawmakers for taking part in a publicity stunt and criticized the cellphone violation by several of the protesters. A press conference held after the storming of the committee hearing explained the GOP frustration with House Democrats.
“ICYMI: Earlier, I joined @RepMattGaetz and dozens of my @HouseGOP colleagues for a press conference to call out House Democrats’ lack of transparency in the ‘impeachment inquiry,'” Pennsylvania Rep. Fred Keller said. “It’s clear and shameful that they do not want all of Congress to know that they are working on.”
[Related: ‘Brave freedom fighters having pizza’: Republicans storming closed hearing order Domino’s]
ICYMI: Earlier, I joined @RepMattGaetz and dozens of my @HouseGOP colleagues for a press conference to call out House Democrats’ lack of transparency in the “impeachment inquiry.” It’s clear and shameful that they do not want all of Congress to know that they are working on. pic.twitter.com/HQn9bXt9E7
— Congressman Fred Keller (@RepFredKeller) October 23, 2019
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas echoed Graham’s sentiment. “This place just gets more like a circus every day,” he said on Wednesday.
Asked about the House GOP raid on the SCIF, Sen. @JohnCornyn (R., Tex.), paused for several seconds.
“This place just gets more like a circus every day,” he said.
— Lindsay Wise (@lindsaywise) October 23, 2019
UPDATE: Graham clarified his reaction after realizing that the Republicans were peacefully protesting, not physically forcing their way into the SCIF. “CORRECTION: I was initially told House GOP took the SCIF by force – basically like a GOP version of Occupy Wall Street. Apparently it was a peaceful protest. Big difference. I understand their frustration and they have good reason to be upset,” he tweeted later in the day.
CORRECTION:
I was initially told House GOP took the SCIF by force – basically like a GOP version of Occupy Wall Street.
Apparently it was a peaceful protest. Big difference.
I understand their frustration and they have good reason to be upset. https://t.co/39GLwGgrPq
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 23, 2019
