Crime
Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' team arrested for 'unlawful entry' in U.S. Capitol breach
CBS confirmed that Colbert’s agents entered the building under the pretense that their visit was approved by congressional aides, and that the team remained in the building after hours to film skits for Colbert's ‘Late Show.’
June 18, 2022 11:21am
Updated: June 18, 2022 8:45pm
In a strange twist amidst the ongoing Jan. 6 hearings, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) told Congress on Friday that seven people working with comedian Stephen Colbert's cable show were arrested for ‘unlawful entry’, say lawmakers.
U.S. Capitol Police declined to identify the seven arrested individuals, but said they were detained at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Longworth House Office Building.
Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., a senior Republican on the House Administration Committee that oversees U.S. Capitol security confirmed the arrests occurred Friday night after his staff received a notification from the USCP.
“The only people arrested by Capitol Police for touring the House office buildings are the people that work for Stephen Colbert,” he said.
A Just the News report said that CBS confirmed to the media site that Colbert’s staffers entered the building under the pretense that their visit was approved by congressional aides, and that the team simply remained in the building after hours to film creative skits for Colbert's ‘Late Show.’
At the time of their arrest, the individuals had already seen been twice in the U.S. House building that day, police said.
It was unclear whether the team had been given prior warnings to vacate the Congressional complex before they were detained.
In the District of Columbia an individual can be charged with Failure to Obey a Lawful Order if they refuse to comply with a legal order from a law enforcement official. Charges can be amended or added by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia or U.S. Attorney’s Office at any time.
“On June 16, 2022, at approximately 8:30 p.m., U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) received a call for a disturbance in the Longworth House Office Building,” Capitol Police said in statement.
“Responding officers observed seven individuals, unescorted and without Congressional ID, in a sixth-floor hallway. The building was closed to visitors, and these individuals were determined to be a part of a group that had been directed by the USCP to leave the building earlier in the day.”
“This is an active criminal investigation, and may result in additional criminal charges after consultation with the U.S. Attorney,” U.S. Capitol Police said.
