Adam Schiff Orders Republicans To Conduct Themselves With Dignity, Propriety, Courtesy, And Decorum While Trump Is Being Impeached

Adam Schiff by Nancy Ohanian

This morning, Intel Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) released a "dear colleague" letter explaining the next phase of Trump's impeachment, a letter that will help people better understand why Trump has seemingly gone insane on Twitter today-- over half a dozen crackpot tweets, with the chief executive no doubt running around the room, crying, showing things, screeching, shaking like a mad dog:

Dear Colleague:

As we return from recess, I want to provide a brief update on the next phase of the impeachment inquiry as the Intelligence Committee prepares to conduct public hearings.

Last week, the Intelligence Committee, in coordination with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Reform Committees, began releasing the transcripts of the witness depositions that were held in closed session, which are available at intelligence.house.gov. We are continuing to prepare the release of the remaining witness transcripts, as authorized by House Resolution 660.

Additionally, the Intelligence Committee has provided notice of two open hearings scheduled for this week. First, tomorrow, the Committee will hold an open hearing with Ambassador William Taylor, our top diplomat in Ukraine, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent, the State Department’s lead career official focused on Ukraine. On Friday, the Committee will hold an open hearing with Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who served as Ambassador to Ukraine until her abrupt removal earlier this year. Collectively, these three diplomats bring decades of dedicated and exemplary service to our nation, and I believe it is vitally important that the American people and all Members of Congress hear in their own words what they experienced and witnessed.

Attached is a memorandum I have shared with all Intelligence Committee Members in preparation for the solemn undertaking with which we have been tasked. It explains the procedures under which the open hearings will be governed, pursuant to H. Res. 660 and the House rules. Given the degree of public interest in these hearings, we are making this memorandum available to all Members so they might better understand the rules and procedures under which we are operating.

We intend to conduct these hearings with the seriousness and professionalism the public deserves. The process will be fair to the President, the Committee Members, and the witnesses. Above all, these hearings are intended to bring the facts to light for the American people. Following opening statements, witnesses will be questioned for equally divided rounds by the Chair or Ranking Member, or by respective staff counsel. Following the completion of extended questioning, all Members of the Intelligence Committee will be recognized under the five minute rule for further questions.

Additional witnesses will be announced this week. As required under H.Res. 660, the Minority has submitted their recommended witnesses for public hearings, which we are evaluating.

I spent much of yesterday participating in Veteran’s Day events in my district, as I know many of you did as well. The patriotism and commitment to service over self of our nation’s veterans never ceases to inspire me, and we would all do well to look to their example in the days to come. I hope that all Members will approach these proceedings with the seriousness of purpose and love of country that they demand. The American people and the Constitution deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Adam B. Schiff
Chairman; House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Republicans must have been flipping out when they read Schiff's memorandum, which included a paragraph on decorum-- aimed right at the two Trumpist disruptive neo-fascists, Gym Jordan (R-OH) and John Ratcliffe (R-TX): "The Code of Official Conduct for Members of Congress requires that every Member 'shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.' As Chair, I will do my utmost during the hearings to safeguard the rights of the witnesses and all Members of the Committee, just as Committee Members should strive to conduct themselves with 'dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum.'"
 The Republicans are protesting that Schiff is making his own rules up to discredit them.