If these democats have such a strong case for impeachment

Then why are they hiding behind closed doors? Do it in public for all of us to see! I guess you can't do payoffs and give false testimony reports to the democrat owned Media on live TV can you?

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SW-User

I don't agree with your conclusions but I was also wondering why it's being done behind closed doors. This is what I found from Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-dems-impeachment-hearing-resumes-gop-storms-scif

[i]The inquiry is being led by three committees made up of both Democrats and Republicans, but members of Congress not on those committees do not have access to any of the sensitive documents or interviews relating to the probe. Republicans also do not have co-equal power to subpoena witnesses or pursue evidence in the probe.[/i]

This from Politico https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/23/impeachment-republicans-trump-055688

[i]According to people familiar with the matter, some Republican lawmakers brought their cellphones into the secure area — a significant violation of House rules. Another person said the room had to be fully swept for potential security breaches, and Democrats said the Republicans compromised national security by bringing electronics into a secure area.
[/i]

[i]Republicans knew they would be turned away from the closed-door deposition; only members who sit on the authorized committees are permitted to sit in on the sessions. Scores of Republicans who sit on the three panels leading the inquiry have been participating in the witness interviews.[/i]

I found an in depth analysis from The Washington Post but I'm assuming you'll dismiss it as part of the "liberal media" talking point so I'm not wasting time copying and pasting. Here's the link in case you're interested in reading it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/23/why-republicans-are-holding-up-impeachment-inquiry/

I'm not sure I believe the claims about national security as much as the possibility they're trying to keep Trump from immediately putting his own spin on it, explaining it away in his usual manner.

Whatever is going on, I want to see all the testimony so I can come to my own conclusions.

MistyCee

@SW-User We should get to see all the trial testimony in due time, but keep in mind that pretrial depos are often closed to prevent witness tampering and to nail down testimony before different "truths" can be "harmonized".
This, for example, is interesting.

https://twitter.com/JohnBerman/status/1187353576974274561

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@SW-User As MistyCee noted, the primary reason for closed door sessions is to prevent witnesses from coordinating their stories. All of the depositions will be made public at the end of the investigation. This is the same process that the Republicans used to gather information on Benghazi. Think of it as a grand jury process, which is always done in secret for similar reasons. Everything will come out, and Republicans are present in the sessions listening, so the information does get back to Trump, even though they are sworn to secrecy. This is why Trump is going bonkers hearing what people are saying under oath.

Northwest · M

@SW-User The facts are:

1. Three House Committees are involved in the hearings: Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight. All House members on these committees are allowed to attend the hearings. This includes GOP and Democrats. Anyone who is not on these committees, is not allowed, Democrat or GOP

2. Trey Gowdy, one of Trump's lapdogs, who was running the Hillary Benghazi inquisition, did the same thing back at the time. In fact, this is how things are done. Reason: this is testimony, and you don't want to intimidate witnesses.

3. The 30 GOP House Members, who stormed the hearing room, had their cell phones out, and were taking pictures and tweeting, for theatrical purposes. It may not be about security, but it sure as hell is about witness intimidation, and for what purpose? The GOP members who sit on the 3 committees, are allowed to attend.

4. This is not a court of law, where the accused is allowed to question witnesses/accusers. This is an inquiry.

But, it's not the OP who started this thread, has ever started a thread on SW, and was able to defend it, without resorting to "but Hillary", "but Obama", "but Benghazi", "but the emails"...

WalksWith · 56-60, F

@windinhishair

Whew!! I'm glad I read responses before I posted. Almost posted exactly the words!! lol!!

SW-User

@MistyCee @windinhishair @Northwest @WalksWith Nothing personal with any of you, but I know all that you have pointed out here. Most of your talking points are included in my response to the OP.

There's a reason why I posted as I did and it has to do with the OP.

WalksWith · 56-60, F

my apologies,@SW-User, it seems as though I was so incensed about the original OP my ire got up and didn't read you response as well as I should have. ✌️!

SW-User

@WalksWith lol. No problem. I always try to respond to him in a way I think he'll comprehend.

Northwest · M

@SW-User [quote]I always try to respond to him in a way I think he'll comprehend.[/quote]

Hoping against hope