Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE said the storming of a closed-door impeachment inquiry hearing by conservative House Republicans on Wednesday is "an embarrassment."

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"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.

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 Alexander (Alex) Xavier MooneyHouse GOP lawmakers urge Senate to confirm Vought Overnight Defense: House passes bills to rein in Trump on Iran | Pentagon seeks Iraq's permission to deploy missile defenses | Roberts refuses to read Paul question on whistleblower during impeachment trial Here are the lawmakers who defected on Iran legislation MORE (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 Ilhan OmarOmar urges Democrats to focus on nonvoters over 'disaffected Trump voters' Omar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE (D-Minn.) tweeted.