Earlier today, Republicans stormed the closed door impeachment proceeding being held in the Capitol basement.

Democrats were questioning Defense Department official Laura Cooper behind closed doors.

But Republicans decided enough was enough of the lack of transparency in how Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has been conducting the proceedings and the refusal to hold a formal vote for an impeachment inquiry.

So dozens of them held a press conference in front of the hearing room and then several of them stormed the room, stopping the hearing from proceeding.

Rep. Gaetz: Dems are “obsessed with attacking” the president with “secret interviews, selective leaks”https://t.co/Mn4y88wurI pic.twitter.com/bTwsM3OYAO

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 23, 2019

But then, they refused to leave until the Democrats came to an agreement with them about transparency.

While they were not allowed to have phones in the SCIF, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) sent out a message in accordance with the rules of a SCIF through a secure line.

Congressman Gohmert is still in the SCIF; the following is a message he relayed to staff via secure line: "I am currently in the SCIF with my colleagues, w/out our phones. We plan on staying here until we negotiate a resolution. (1/3)

— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) October 23, 2019

Earlier upon our arrival, Schiff grabbed the witness, Laura Cooper, and left. Cooper is a Pentagon official and is subject to oversight by Armed Services Committee. Yet, Schiff is not allowing Armed Services Committee Members to question her! (2/3) https://t.co/qZLahsY654

— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) October 23, 2019

Schiff and the witness are still sequestered away/not in the SCIF, so it is sort of a standoff right now.” (3/3) https://t.co/MNOc99niZG

— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) October 23, 2019

But since the hearing was stopped and Schiff had spirited away the witness there was nothing that they would have been violating with phones in any event. The first question they need to ask of the witness when they can is if she was asked by Schiff to say anything or did he try to influence her in any way.

Republicans ordered pizza for the reporters covering the drama outside, telling them they were going to be awhile.

SCIF food update: scalise has ordered pizza for the press now. Let’s see who touches it. pic.twitter.com/6GqzRGO7ns

— Jim Newell (@jim_newell) October 23, 2019

House repoublicans just dropped off pizza for reporters.@RepMarkMeadows told us “you’re gonna be here a while.”

Side note: They sent us @dominos and got themselves @wethepizza (arguably the best in DC). pic.twitter.com/eyIagW3Cn8

— Alex Miller (@AlexMillerNews) October 23, 2019

Of course, this made Democrats flip out. Democrats claimed that Republicans were obstructing the process and had violated the SCIF.

This is a whole disaster. Republicans ordered pizza, apparently, and are just like, refusing to leave. Swalwell is outside the SCIF and says they will “not be deterred by this.” Calls it “Republican obstruction of Congress at the behest of the president.”

— Addy Baird (@addysbaird) October 23, 2019

Meanwhile, Democrats seem to have forgotten about their sit-in for gun control,which of course the media lauded as proof of their dedication.

Democrats don’t seem to have counted on Republicans fighting back.