Buttigieg on Republican SCIF crash: ‘This behavior is an embarrassment’

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said the storming of a closed-door impeachment inquiry hearing by conservative House Republicans on Wednesday is “an embarrassment.”

{mosads}”I used work in a SCIF [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility], as a military officer,” the South Bend, Ind., mayor tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

“The importance of keeping it secure (i.e. from cell phone signals) was drilled into us so deeply that I’d have bad dreams about accidentally leaving my phone in the pocket of my uniform,” he added. “This behavior is an embarrassment.”

I used work in a SCIF, as a military officer. The importance of keeping it secure (i.e. from cell phone signals) was drilled into us so deeply that I’d have bad dreams about accidentally leaving my phone in the pocket of my uniform. This behavior is an embarrassment. https://t.co/20EVgwzNbv

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 23, 2019

SCIFs are commonly used in Washington to brief lawmakers and other officials on highly sensitive information. In the interest of national security, cellphones or mobile devices of any kind are strictly prohibited inside.

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/HzYe5CmIux pic.twitter.com/EJBRr3WsnX

— The Hill (@thehill) October 23, 2019

However, when House Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), stormed the SCIF, many of them brought their phones with them.

Rep. Alex Mooney (R. W.Va.) even made a phone call and then uploaded the audio online.

Proceedings were delayed more than five hours because of the incident, and the GOP lawmakers received heavy criticism from their Democratic counterparts.

“This is what happens when people elect members more interested in media hits than the protection of our national security,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) tweeted.

This is what happens when people elect members more interested in media hits than the protection of our national security ‍♀️

FYI to everyone who is concerned about my security clearances, I at least know to not bring my cell phones to SCIF and follow protocol. https://t.co/R6b93yHZL8

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 23, 2019