Republicans break into closed hearing in protest during inquiry into Trump’s Ukraine dealings

Dozens of President Donald Trump’s supporters sparked chaos after brazenly breaking into a secretive, closed meeting in protest.

A group of furious Republicans chanting “let us in” have spectacularly crashed a private hearing into US President Donald Trump’s conduct in protest against the secretive nature of the proceedings.

Dozens of the President’s colleagues stormed into a secure meeting room, potentially jeopardising the impeachment inquiry, which is investigating Mr Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.

The group of more than 30 Republicans was led by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who spoke at a press conference shortly before the bizarre stunt.

“We’re gonna go and see if we can get inside,” Mr Gaetz told journalists before the crowd broke into the House Intelligence Committee hearing, which was being held inside a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, The Independent reports.

Rep. Matt Gaetz: "We're going to go and see if we can get inside."

WATCH: Republicans storm closed-door SCIF hearing to protest impeachment inquiry https://t.co/HzYe5CEjm5 pic.twitter.com/fUcnYjJ9eE

— The Hill (@thehill) October 23, 2019

“This was a stunning scene”: House Republicans storm secure area in the capitol as key impeachment witness provides testimony https://t.co/aYIcGo5zvO pic.twitter.com/BIfy8WOwPF

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 23, 2019

A large group of Republicans stormed the close-door inquiry. Picture: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images/AFP

Republicans speak to the press. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The group claimed they were staging the sit-in in protest against the secretive proceedings, slamming Democrat rivals and calling for the release of transcripts of evidence from witnesses.

Electronic devices are banned from the room, and only select members of the three committees leading the impeachment inquiry are allowed in, in a bid to protect the highly classified information being leaked.

However, the protesters brought in their mobile phones, shutting down the hearing and prompting committee chair Adam Schiff to call the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove them.

The act was so serious it sparked a security breach that resulted in police carrying out a security sweep of the premises.

The action delayed the crucial testimony of Laura Cooper, the top Pentagon official overseeing America’s Ukraine policy, by five hours, although it is now believed to be under way.

Laura Cooper’s deposition is underway, five hours after it was scheduled to start. A lawmaker says she didn’t have an opening statement and began answering questions right away.

— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) October 23, 2019

According to Bloomberg, the President knew of the planned invasion and supports the release of transcripts, which he believes will prove his innocence.

“Trump had advance knowledge and supported a protest by Republicans who told him they planned to barge into a secure hearing room on Capitol Hill where Democrats are holding impeachment testimonies, according to four people familiar with the matter,” Bloomberg reports.

The inquiry is centred on Donald Trump’s phone call with Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“Trump on Tuesday met with about 30 House Republicans at the White House to talk about the situation in Syria and the impeachment inquiry. During a nearly two-hour meeting, which focused mostly on the impeachment inquiry, lawmakers shared their plans to storm into the secure room, the people said.

“Trump supported the action, saying he wanted the transcripts released because they will exonerate him, the people said.”

He previously described the probe into his conduct as a “lynching”.

An insider from one of the committees told CNN the protest had violated crucial rules.

“The stunt, in service of the President’s demand that they ‘fight harder’ to obstruct a legitimate impeachment inquiry, has meant that the witness has had to wait for hours for them to leave,” the source told the organisation.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise speaks during a press conference before storming the room in protest. Picture: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images/AFP

“They engage in this circus-like behaviour because they can’t defend the President’s egregious misconduct.”

The insider also slammed the decision to bring electronic devices inside the secure facility.

“Although several members later removed their devices, after being advised by the Sergeant at Arms and security personnel that there were members still in possession of electronic devices, some Republican members refused to completely remove them,” they said.

Politico reported 48 of the House’s 197 Republicans have access to the impeachment proceedings by virtue of being on the three committees leading the probe.

The inquiry is being held to investigate Mr Trump’s request for information into former vice president and political rival Joe Biden from the Ukraine government.

Yesterday, the highest ranking US diplomat in Ukraine, Bill Taylor, gave explosive testimony claiming the president planned to withhold military aid to the country unless he was given the information he wanted in return.

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

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2019

Mr Trump had previously denied that arrangement, and recently attacked Mr Taylor, labelling him a “Never Trumper”.