Hmmm… how long until they appeal?
This. It’s in a SCIF because classified information may be revealed. This shit lands less powerful people in prison or a morgue.
Wait, aren’t there Republicans on those committees that are hearing testimony?
Yes. They weren’t prevented from taking part if they were on the relevant committee. This was a bunch of non-committee Republican doofuses who wanted to make a point, and gum up the works.
Matt Gaetz and others of the brave Republican security compromising gatecrashers are now tweeting that Hey, you know those tweets I sent from inside the room? Ha-ha, they were sent by staffers outside the room. Ah, this is cool, right?
There are very good reasons for it. This is the investigation phase, not the hearing phase.
In prior impeachment proceedings, the investigation was carried out by a special or independent counsel, in secret. Just like Mueller.
In this case, however, Bill Barr has refused to appoint a special counsel to investigate the allegations into Trump’s Ukraine conduct. This was inappropriate and wrong, but we are where we are with a corrupt Attorney General acting as Trump’s personal protector.
For that reason, the investigation phase of this inquiry has fallen to Congress. It’s being held in secret for the same reasons that Mueller’s investigation was carried out in secret: First, so witnesses can’t coordinate their testimony; second, to protect individuals whose good names may be besmirched if they end up not charged; and third, to keep classified information classified.
Once the investigation has concluded, there will be public hearings by the House to lay out their case to vote articles of impeachment.
Believe me, Republicans want a public hearing far less than they are pretending they do.
If (when) the House votes articles of impeachment, the trial phase of this matter will be held in the Senate, presided over by Chief Justice John Roberts. During the trial phase, Trump will have every opportunity to present his defense to the articles of impeachment.
“The private ones always produce better results."–Republican, former congressman Trey Gowdy, who conducted the Benghazi investigation into Hillary Clinton a few years ago and pushed back against criticism that most of the hearings were in private.
Excellent explanation. Thank you for laying it out so clearly.
I’m totally going to borrow this. It’s brilliant.
He’s a sharp man, my son!
Most welcome. 
Does anyone have a list of the House members who crashed the deposition? Id like to know if I need to yell at my congressman.
The deposition just finally got underway, incidentally. A five- hour delay because petulant babies who can’t understand the rules.
It would be worth it if any of their illicit recording devices got footage of Republican congress members “Naruto-running” towards the hearing room.
(Not really.)
I would like to note that 12 of these contemptible criminals are on the investigatory committees.
On one hand: oh please please please let this happen. I so very much want to see Trump exposed as an international money laundering criminal.
On the other: doesn’t any scenario that involves Trump’s tax returns assume that his returns are complete and correct? I mean, if you’re already laundering money for Russian oligarchs, why would you have qualms about not mentioning it on your 1040?
I’m going with the assumption that there’s more to be learned from Trump’s returns than that he’s not as rich as he claims to be, otherwise he wouldn’t be going to court to prevent them from being released to anyone.
Personally I’d like nothing more than to help plan what to do if they pull this again. First - are there bathrooms available without leaving the space? If so, step one is to lock them or otherwise put them out of commission.
Step two - “hey, just to prove we can still behave like civilized human beings, we’ve brought a few cases of soda to share. Drink up!”
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman asks sergeant at arms to “take action” against Republicans who charged into the SCIF.
Many of the Republicans engaged in the protest were at a White House on Tuesday meeting with Trump, and a person familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump had advance knowledge of the plans to enter the space.