Seven people believed to be part of the late Stephen Colbert show were arrested Thursday night at the Longworth House office building by U.S. Capitol police.
The detainees were escorted by a commission hearing earlier in the day on January 6th due to a lack of proper press information, reports said. The same group was unveiled at the Capitol complex later Thursday after it was closed to the public.
Reports indicate that videos and photos were taken around the offices of two Republican members of Congress, minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Representative Lauren Bobert (R-CO).
Among those arrested is Robert Smigel, who is known to be the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the Associated Press reported. The others are reported to be producers of shows.
The seven detainees have been charged with illegal entry, according to Capitol police. Authorities said at 8:30 p.m., they were “calling for disorder” in Longworth’s building.
“Respondents observed seven people, unaccompanied and without congressional credentials, in a corridor on the sixth floor,” Capitol police said. “The building was closed to visitors and these individuals were identified as part of a group that was directed by the USCP to leave the building earlier in the day. They said additional criminal charges could be filed.
Another person familiar with the matter provided the AP with a list of nine people stopped by Capitol police. They include several producers, along with Robert Smigel, the voice behind The Triumph of the Offensive Comic Dog.
In a statement Friday night, CBS confirmed that Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was “on site at the Capitol with a production team” on June 15 and 16, recording an interview.
The interviews “were authorized and pre-arranged by congressional members of the interviewed members,” CBS said. “After leaving the members’ offices for their last interview of the day, the production team stayed to film stand-up comedy and other final comedy elements in the halls when they were detained by Capitol police.”
The deadline contacted U.S. Capitol police for more details.
Here is the full statement from CBS:
On Wednesday, June 15, and Thursday, June 16, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was on site in the Capitol with a production team to record interviews for the comedy segment on behalf of The Late Show.
Their interviews at the Capitol were authorized and pre-arranged by the congressional staff of the interviewed members.
After leaving the members’ offices in their last interview of the day, the production team was left to film stand-up comedy and other final comedy elements in the halls when they were detained by Capitol police.
Here is the full statement from the Capitol Police:
On June 16, 2022, at approximately 8:30 p.m., U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) received a disturbance call at the Longworth House office building. Responsible officers observed seven people, unaccompanied and without congressional credentials, in the corridor on the sixth floor. The building was closed to visitors and it was determined that these individuals were part of a group that was directed by the USCP to leave the building earlier in the day. They were accused of illegal entry. This is an active criminal investigation and may lead to additional criminal charges after consultation with the US Attorney.
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