In spite of all this drama, only two commodities motivate Donald TrumpL getting reelected in 2020 and money. Not necessarily in that order. A group of Republicans pulled an Animal House antic with a major yuck factor to get his attention, and here is why.
About 122 Republicans have access to the electronically-protected SCIFÂ (sensitive compartmented information facility) where the House impeachment inquiry has been taking place. They interrupted the Democrats’ and Republicans’ deposition of the first Defense Department witness.
Trump was well aware that a group of about two dozen Republicans, mostly men, all white intended to storm that private room. He encouraged them, so their performance was truly just for an audience of one.
Even though 13 of the men already had access to the room, the wild boys came in through three doors shouting and deployed pizza boxes, carelessly strewn around the place. Some of them who crashed the hearing room kept their cellphones, which clearly violated House bylaws.
They barged in interrupting the hearing, claiming they wanted to be able to see the witnesses and hear their testimony. Nevermind that this was the investigative portion of the process, because Attorney General William Barr refused to do it. Ironically, everyone will soon be able to watch the public hearings in November.
POTUS had urged the Republicans to get tough, to fight the Democrats. After their stunt, he tweeted his appreciation:
‘Thank you to House Republicans for being tough, smart, and understanding in detail the greatest Witch Hunt in American History. It has been going on since long before I even got Elected (the Insurance Policy!). A total Scam!’
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham appeared on Fox & Friends to endorse the Republicans’ antics and tell them the president was “happy to see it happen:”
‘I’m glad they did it. The Dems have been doing everything behind closed doors and in secret and so it’s about time somebody made a very bold stand, which is I guess a sit-in, which is what they did. And it was great, and the point was well taken. I think they showed full support for the president. He was happy to see it happen. He was very supportive of it, as he should be.’
In his Cabinet meeting, Trump told the reporters, Slate reported:
‘Republicans have to get tougher and fight. We have some that are great fighters, but they have to get tougher and fight because the Democrats are trying to hurt the Republican Party for the election.’
When the Republicans compromised the SCIF and halted the proceedings, witness Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper left the room. The GOP occupied it or five hours. After they left, she returned.
Democrats considered bringing in the sergeant-at-arms to have the intruders forcibly removed, but as Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch told reporters, “having members hauled off, even though it might give some great pleasure,” might have been too “theatrical” a move that Republican wannabe martyrs would have enjoyed.
Twitter world went nuts. Check this out:
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
