Activists banned after protests stall CIA nominee Brennan’s hearing

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Senate intelligence committee chairman Diane Feinstein (D-CA) on Thursday ordered protesters cleared from a Senate hearing on the nomination John Brennan to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

As Brennan entered the hearing room, demonstrators immediately began speaking out against the U.S. government’s practice of using drones for the so-called “targeted killing” of American citizens.

“You have betrayed democracy when you assassinate suspects!” one protester shouted.

Activists with the group Code Pink held signs that read, “Brennan: A National Security Risk” and “Brennan = War Crimes.”

“OK, I think we should clear the entire room,” a frustrated Feinstein told Capitol Police before resuming the hearing.

Watch these videos, uploaded to YouTube on Feb. 7, 2013.