The much-anticipated confirmation hearing of John Brennan, who President Obama has tapped to head the Central Intelligence Agency, came to an abrupt halt Wednesday afternoon after protesters continually disrupted the proceedings.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., gaveled the hearing into recess and cleared the room briefly in an effort to filter out "Code Pink" members who, one after another, began shouting during Brennan's opening remarks.
"Stop the killing of Pakistani children," one activists yelled as he was escorted out of the room.
Another woman held up a sign that read 'Brennan=Drone Killing.'
Brennan is expected to address the White House policy on using unmanned drones to kill American citizens abroad as well as advanced interrogation techniques used to gain information from accused terrorists.
Feinstein quickly resumed the hearing after the police removed the the Code Pink protesters.
Brennan, 57, said during his opening statement that he has publicly acknowledged "lethal force," is sometimes involved outside the battlefield of Afghanistan in ensuring national security. He also promised to make sure the Senate Intelligence panel is not denied information it is legally entitled to hear.
"If I am confirmed a trust deficit between this committee and the CIA would be wholly unacceptable to me," Brennan said.
