Published 22:21 IST, October 24th 2019
Republicans storm US Capitol, disrupt Trump's impeachment inquiry
Angry at being left out of Trump's impeachment process, US congressional Republicans stormed a closed-door witness deposition and refused to leave for hours
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Angry at being left out of Donald Trump's impeachment process, US congressional Republicans stormed a closed-door witness deposition on Wednesday and refused to leave for several hours, initiating a showdown over the investigation of the president.
'Storming' of Capitol Building
As per reports, more than two dozen senators had stormed into the secured US Capitol meeting room known as SCIF resulting in a delay of the testimony of a Pentagon official who was the latest witness in the Democrats' investigation of abuse of power by Trump. The White House has been confronted with a stream of depositions by current and former administration officials in recent weeks as Democrats lay out the case against the president.
However, nothing seems to be as explosive as the one in which an envoy to Ukraine, Bill Taylor who testified to lawmakers who said that he offered startling details which revealed that there was a quid pro quo for military aid for political assistance was offered.
Earlier this week, Trump had demanded that Republicans get tougher and fight back. Trump also thanked the Republicans in a Tweet.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2019
A withering deposition
Reports suggested that Taylor delivered a withering deposition which some Democrats described as the most clinching evidence of the impeachment process yet. No. 2 Senate Republican John Thune admitted that the detailed account given by Taylor was not a good one. In a 15 page opening remarks to Senators, Taylor provided details of how Trump was withholding US military aid to exert pressure on Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky to start an inquiry into political opponent Joe Biden and his son.
Taylor said in his statement that the US ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, told him that "'everything was dependent on such an announcement, including security assistance." Speaking to reporters, Democratic congressman Ted Lieu tsaid, "Taylor gave a devastating opening statement yesterday, they're freaked out, (and) they're trying to stop this investigation."
(With inputs from AP)
20:50 IST, October 24th 2019