In the News

Onrush stalls D.C. testimony; GOP bloc barges into interview on Ukraine

ADG
10/24/19

WASHINGTON -- A group of House Republicans barged into a secure room at the Capitol on Wednesday where the latest witness in the Democrat-led impeachment inquiry was set to testify, temporarily shutting down the proceedings.

The disruption delayed private testimony from Laura Cooper, the Pentagon official who oversees Ukraine policy, whom lawmakers planned to ask about the White House's decision to withhold military aid for several months over the summer.

Earlier Wednesday, President Donald Trump lashed out anew at "terrible" Democrats a day after damaging testimony from a key diplomat in the Ukraine controversy. William Taylor, the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, had testified Tuesday that Trump wanted military aid to Ukraine linked to the country's willingness to investigate the 2016 election and former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Trump took to Twitter to assail Taylor and his lawyer John Bellinger -- and to offer encouragement to Republican protesters.

"Never Trumper Republican John Bellinger, represents Never Trumper Diplomat Bill Taylor (who I don't know), in testimony before Congress!" the president wrote. "Do Nothing Democrats allow Republicans Zero Representation, Zero due process, and Zero Transparency."

About two-dozen Trump allies stormed a room in the Capitol basement where three investigative committees were supposed to hear testimony from Cooper. The interview began roughly five hours behind schedule, after a security check by Capitol officials.

A shouting match began between Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and some Democrats in the room as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., left to consult with the sergeant at arms, according to Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., who witnessed the episode.

"The members have just had it, and they want to be able to see and represent their constituents and find out what's going on," said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Reform panel. That committee is one of the three leading the investigation, and its members are allowed into the closed hearings.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said she had just walked into the room when the Republican lawmakers blew past Capitol police officers and Democratic staff members. The staff member who was checking identification at the entrance was "basically overcome" by the Republicans, she said.

"Literally some of them were just screaming about the president and what we're doing to him and that we have nothing and just all things that were supportive of the president," Wasserman Schultz said.

Democrats decried the Republican shutdown of Wednesday's planned testimony, dismissing it as a stunt.

"It's totally inappropriate," said Rep. Harley Rouda, D-Calif., who watched the episode unfold. "When the facts are against you, when the law is against you ... you're left arguing process."