House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) kicked out staffers and required members to check their phones ahead of a caucus meeting on Wednesday in order to have a “candid” conversation with Democrat members on the impeachment inquiry, according to reports.
Rachael Bade, a Washington Post contributor and CNN political analyst, reported Pelosi locked down her caucus meeting without warning.
“INTRIGUING: Pelosi has kicked out staff and is making members check cell phones going into caucus today so she can have a candid convo with her members on impeachment,” Bade reported, adding that a sign at the door read, “NO ENTRANCE.”
Aides reportedly ensured no one except lawmakers proceeded into the room:
“Ahead of the first Judiciary impeachment hearing, two major huddles by both parties: Pelosi talking impeachment with members & kicking out staff to crackdown on leaks,” she noted, adding that Vice President Mike Pence is speaking with Republicans at a weekly meeting:
Pelosi offered little details after emerging from the meeting, only describing it as “very prayerful”:
According to reports, Pelosi did not provide a clear timeline on an impeachment vote but urged members to be “disciplined” in their messages:
The closed-door meeting follows falling public support of the impeachment inquiry and coincided with the first public impeachment hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee featuring four legal scholars.
Watch the hearing below: