Republican bomb-throwers prep impeachment spectacle

They've gotten into shouting matches over whether socialists are Nazis. They've clashed with the parents of children who died from gun violence. And they've insinuated that a key witness was having an affair on the eve of a marquee hearing.

They're some of the most colorful Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee — and these lawmakers are ready to bring their antics to the next act in the impeachment saga.

The committee is home to members of the hard-line Freedom Caucus like Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Louie Gohmert of Texas, leaders of key conservative groups like Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona and Mike Johnson of Louisiana, and firebrands who have a flair for the dramatic like Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida.

All of them are fierce defenders of President Donald Trump, and all are promising to hold nothing back as the impeachment proceedings shift from the House Intelligence Committee to the Judiciary panel.

"It is our duty to raise every parliamentary and procedural maneuver that we can that's legitimate," said Biggs, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus. "Not to be dilatory, but to legitimately point out how flawed this process has been and how weak the Democratic case is. We will do that aggressively and assiduously.

"Let me put it this way: It will be better TV than the Schiff hearing," he added.