Scenes From John Brennan's Confirmation Hearing

By Chet Susslin

Updated: February 7, 2013 | 6:02 p.m.
February 7, 2013 | 5:45 p.m.

John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to head the CIA, first faced protesters and then some tough questions during his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.

Brennan's hearing was disruped early on by demonstrators from the group Code Pink protesting Brennan's role in overseeing the classified drone program that targets terrorists, including U.S. citizens.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., ordered the chamber cleared of the public. After that, the fire he faced was from his questioners on the Intelligence panel.

Code Pink protesters approach John Brennan (right), the nominee to become CIA director, and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., as the two enter the chamber for Brennan's confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

John Brennan is sworn in at the start of his Senate confirmation hearing.

Protesters interrupt Brennan's opening remarks.

After several interruptions, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., orders the the public cleared from the chamber.

Told to leave the chamber, Code Pink protesters and other public attendees file out of CIA chief nominee John Brennan's Senate confirmation hearing.

With order restored, Brennan continues his opening remarks and begins to take questions from the Senate Intelligence Committee.

(From left) Sens. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., listen as John Brennan testifies.

Freshman Sens. Angus King. I-Maine, (left) and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., take in Brennan's testimony.

Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.