Tag Archives: US Capitol

Politico reports: When John Nassif surged into the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he was among the hundreds chanting “Whose house? Our house!” But that’s not exactly true, a federal appeals court countered Tuesday, rejecting Nassif’s challenge to his conviction for “demonstrating” inside the Capitol and ruling that the building itself — as opposed to the spacious parkland outside — …

Roll Call reports: A security fence will surround the Capitol as President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address on March 7, according to three sources familiar with the decision. The Capitol Police Board on Friday approved the installation of the fencing. A security fence went up around the Capitol for last year’s State of the Union speech. …

Congress Minutes reports: The Capitol Police are girding for the possibility of protests ahead of the potential indictment of former President Donald Trump, according to two people familiar with the situation. Their security posture will be elevated starting Tuesday morning, the people said. Police intelligence suggested, though, that more protests would occur around Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago and in New …

The Associated Press reports: President Joe Biden has fired the embattled Architect of the Capitol, the official who oversees the U.S. Capitol complex, officials said. The White House said Monday that Brett Blanton’s appointment was terminated. It comes as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he’d lost confidence in Blanton’s ability to do the job. Blanton allegedly misrepresented himself as a …

Congress Minutes reports: The Capitol Police Board, a three-member body that makes security decisions for the Capitol complex, split 2-1 last week in favor of erecting a temporary security fence ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, according to two people familiar with the decision. The lone vote against the plan: William McFarland, the House’s newly minted …

Politico reports: Capitol Police officials are beefing up security on the Hill amid heightened concerns over Friday’s expected release of reportedly brutal police footage from a traffic stop that led to the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tenn. The Capitol’s law enforcement entity is expected to increase its security posture as departments around the country gird for protests …

Mediaite reports: “Smoke ’em if you got ’em.” That’s not just the name of a 2004 Cypress Hill EP but also apparently the new rule in the GOP-controlled House. Republican members are lighting up their cigars in Congressional offices — and driving members of the press corps “insane in the brain” with the smell. An executive order signed by President …

Roll Call reports: After nearly three years of pandemic- and insurrection-related security restrictions, tourists next week will be allowed into the House gallery, and unescorted visitors on official business will be able to enter House office buildings. The changes will take place as Republicans, some of whom have vocally fought against COVID-19 restrictions, are sworn into a majority of House …

The Washington Post reports: In a new firsthand account of the frantic efforts of Capitol Police officers to protect Congress and themselves from an armed mob on Jan. 6, 2021, the department’s former chief blames cascading government failures for allowing the brutal melee. The federal government’s multibillion-dollar security network, built after 9/11 to gather intelligence that could warn of a …

NBC News reports: The House sergeant at arms, who was head of the D.C. National Guard during the attack on the U.S. Capitol, told the Jan. 6 committee that the law enforcement response would have looked much different had the rioters been Black Americans. “I’m African American. Child of the sixties. I think it would have been a vastly different …

The New York Times reports: It has been 15 years since Nancy Pelosi made history as the first woman to be elected speaker of the House. On Wednesday, that history was placed on display on the walls of the Capitol, when Ms. Pelosi’s official portrait was unveiled and set to be hung in the Speaker’s Lobby, adorned until now only …

Congress Minutes reports: Seventy-three soon-to-be members gathered in the Cannon Caucus room to pick from a box that held slips of paper numbered 1-73. The order of the slips dictates who picks their office first, second and so on. After the member-elect selects their slip, the members then line up to choose their offices — a process that begins in …

CNN reports: A federal watchdog is accusing the Architect of the Capitol, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, of ethics violations over an offer to provide tours to “patriots” weeks before the November 2020 election. The inspector general with oversight over J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, found that one of his immediate family members offered …

Via press release from the US Capitol Police: Friday’s attack against Paul Pelosi is an alarming reminder of the dangerous threats elected officials and public figures face during today’s contentious political climate. The USCP has engaged in a review of Friday’s incident. We believe today’s political climate calls for more resources to provide additional layers of physical security for Members …

From the United States Capitol Police: Just after 4:00 a.m., a man drove his car into the vehicle barricade at East Capitol Street and Second Street. While the man was getting out of the car, it became engulfed in flames. The man then fired several shots into the air along East Capitol Street. When our officers heard the sound of …

NBC News reports: Government lawyers said Monday they will not prosecute a production crew associated with “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” that was arrested on unlawful entry charges inside a congressional building last month. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said prosecutors determined it was untenable to move forward with the misdemeanor charges against the nine …

Politico reports: A top Capitol Police officer warned a federal court Tuesday that requests by a Jan. 6 defendant to take measurements in non-public areas of the Capitol could compromise the building and expose some of the newer undisclosed efforts to protect Congress since the insurrection. “Permitting him to measure distances from wall to wall, from wall to door and …

The Hollywood Reporter reports: A number of people working for CBS’ Late Show with Stephen Colbert were arrested Thursday night at a U.S Capitol office building after taping a skit involving Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Among those arrested was Robert Smigel, the former Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O’Brien writer best known for portraying Triumph. Smigel …

Via press release from the Capitol Police: A Michigan man was arrested outside of the U.S. Capitol this morning after he was found with a fake badge, a BB gun, body armor, high capacity magazines and other ammunition. Just before 5:00 am, a U.S. Capitol Police patrol officer started talking to a man who had parked his 2017 Dodge Charger …

Yahoo Sports reports: Military Appreciation Day didn’t go as planned for the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. It went so bad that it triggered an evacuation of the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol complex was evacuated due to an “aircraft posing a probable threat” on Wednesday afternoon. Thankfully it didn’t last long, and the Capitol was given the all-clear minutes after the …