During a break in the House Judiciary Committee markup session Wednesday on the articles of impeachment, a photographer for Reuters was caught on camera sneaking a picture of a member's desk.
Rep. Devin Nunes shared the video and captioned it, “Media spy games!”
Media spy games! https://t.co/GXnv6dLfVq
— Devin Nunes (@DevinNunes) December 12, 2019
During the hearing, Rep. Matt Gaetz made a public announcement about the incident and explained who the photographer was and that he was removed from the Capitol building.
While some said the photographer—identified as Josh Roberts—was taking photos of a GOP member’s notes, Gaetz clarified that he snapped pictures of Democrats’ desks.
“During the break, a Reuters photographer, Josh Roberts, walked over to the dais and took pictures of the notes of the desks of several of my Democratic colleagues,” Gaetz said.
“We noticed that, announced it to staff, and that reporter, that photographer, has been removed. And I would just say, no member, Republican or Democrat, should be subject to that—we ought to have the opportunity to take our notes, participate in debate, and have a fair discussion.”
Reuters later shared images from Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu’s desk, who was not in attendance Wednesday.
“His photos include members’ copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Holy Bible, The Federalist Papers and pieces of illegible paper that were sitting on the dais,” a Reuters spokesperson told The Hill. “He broke no rules and left the hearing voluntarily.”
A senior adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also dismissed the charge that the photographer was snooping on the private notes of a lawmaker.
For the record, this was a Democratic Member’s desk, notwithstanding a Republicans Member’s claim to the contrary. The photo being taken was also not of notes, it was of a Bible and another book. https://t.co/KURmcL7ML5
— Jesse Lee (@JesseCharlesLee) December 12, 2019