The Thursday morning confirmation hearing for Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE’s pick to lead the CIA got off to a dim start.

During his opening remarks, Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Sen. Mark Warner Mark Robert WarnerIntelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' House approves bill to secure internet-connected federal devices against cyber threats MORE (D-Va.) began speaking about the intelligence community’s formal assessment that Russia attempted to interfere in the U.S. election.

Abruptly, the lights went out in the Hart hearing room, plunging it into darkness.

ADVERTISEMENT

Warner continued his remarks — without a microphone — as lawmakers, reporters, protesters and the candidate himself, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), sat in darkness.

Chairman Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrRep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign's Russia contacts posed 'grave' threat Senate report describes closer ties between 2016 Trump campaign, Russia MORE (R-N.C.) called a recess shortly after. Former Republican Sen. Bob Dole, present to speak about Pompeo, sat surrounded by lawmakers and press as other senators milled around the well of the hearing room.

Here's Bob Dole, sitting in the dark, while everyone else mills around. #PompeoHearing pic.twitter.com/07rqCTzSUj — Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) January 12, 2017

Pompeo had been prepared to give opening remarks that appeared crafted to reassure jumpy lawmakers that he can provide nonpartisan intelligence to the White House and smooth a rocky relationship between Langley and the president-elect.

In an opening statement primarily made up of broad analysis of the threats facing the United States, Pompeo praised the CIA’s workforce — but kept his comments on the threat originating from Moscow to a minimum.

“I understand full well that my job, if confirmed, will be to change roles from policymaker to information provider,” he will say, according to prepared remarks.

The hearing was ultimately moved to another room in the Dirksen office building, where Burr reconvened the panel.

"Sometimes in life we find there are no answers to questions," Burr said, noting that he still has no reason for the outage.

But, he joked, "we have ruled out" a connection to Warner's comments on Russia and "a conspiracy on the part of Sen. [Susan] Collins" to highlight critical infrastructure weaknesses.”

Dole kicked off the reconvened hearing with his remarks.

"My eyesight is not too good, so I thought it was perfect in the other room," he joked.