(Headline USA) Nine employees of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert were arrested on Thursday, June 16, for illegally entering the House of Representatives, according to the Daily Mail.
The group attempted to take pictures and film around the offices of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.
The group earlier was reported to have attended House Democrats’ partisan Jan. 6 hearings, but because they didn’t have proper press credentials to get interviews in the Cannon House Office Building, they were removed.
Among those arrested was former Saturday Night Live writer Robert Smigel, a frequent guest on Colbert’s show and a creator of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, a recurring bit that first appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Among the others arrested were producers and a props assistant. It was not immediately clear if the crew was attempting to film a Triumph sketch.
The group was reportedly let into the building by someone connected with Democrat Reps. Adam Schiff of California and Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, according to the Daily Mail.
Capitol Police released a statement in which they said that they received a call for a disturbance and saw seven people in a hallway upon arrival.
“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,” said the statement.
“Responding officers observed seven individuals, unescorted and without Congressional ID, in a sixth-floor hallway.”
USCP said that the building was closed to visitors and that these people were charged with unlawful entry, which may result in additional criminal charges.
“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,” the it said.
“They were charged with Unlawful Entry,” it continued. “This is an active criminal investigation, and may result in additional criminal charges after consultation with the U.S. Attorney.”
