Republicans storm Trump impeachment inquiry
A US House of Representatives impeachment inquiry descended into chaos on Wednesday as Republican legislators stormed into a high-security hearing room and delayed testimony by a witness.
The more than two dozen Republicans, who were not authorised to attend the hearing, entered before Laura Cooper, the US defence official who oversees Ukraine and Russia matters, was scheduled to testify behind closed doors before Republican and Democratic legislators.
Her deposition is part of an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump about calls he made to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asking him to investigate Joe Biden, a potential Democratic rival in next year’s presidential race. Mr Zelenskiy agreed during the call.
The revelation about the call came from a whistle-blower and because of the nature of some of the inquiry, the House has been carrying out the hearings in the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, a room in the Capitol building in Washington where no electronic devices or unauthorised members are allowed.
The Republicans shouted complaints that the Democrats in charge of the inquiry were conducting it in private, legislators and aides said.
Republican members of the three congressional committees conducting the inquiry have taken part in the process throughout.
As Democrats prepared to interview Ms Cooper, the Republican members stormed in – many with mobile phones in contravention of the rules – and delayed the hearing.
About noon the Republican legislators reportedly ordered pizzas from the Capitol Hill catering service and had them brought to the secure area.
Democrats considered calling security to have their Republican colleagues removed, but decided against it.
After a delay of about four hours, Ms Cooper was able to begin her testimony.
It was a dramatic confrontation in a House inquiry that threatens Mr Trump’s presidency even as he seeks re-election.
Federal election law prohibits candidates from accepting foreign help in an election, which the calls regarding Mr Biden may breach.