1) Prosecutors have dropped charges against the “Colbert 9” after the USCP arrested them for unlawful entry were caught recording comedy skits inside a House Office Building after hours without permission in June.
2) Persons who don’t work on Capitol Hill are not allowed to be inside official buildings after hours unless they have an escort. Others must have a proper pass.
Fox is told that the Colbert 9 tried to get permission to cover the 1/6 committee hearings but were denied
Fox is told that the Colbert 9 tried to get permission to cover the 1/6 committee hearings but were denied
3) That’s because they are considered to be entertainment and not news.
Regardless, the team had interviews scheduled with Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA).
Regardless, the team had interviews scheduled with Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA).
4) They were allowed to come to the complex for those interviews because they had an official appointment.
But after the interviews, USCP officers found the Colbert 9 wandering around the area in the Cannon House Office Building where the 1/6 cmte conducting a hearing that day.
But after the interviews, USCP officers found the Colbert 9 wandering around the area in the Cannon House Office Building where the 1/6 cmte conducting a hearing that day.
5) The House Radio-TV Gallery as well as Capitol Police required just not a press pass to cover the hearings but a special overlay for that area. That’s because of the high interest in the hearings by the press corps.
6) Capitol Police escorted the Colbert 9 out of the building because they had been denied a credential and were still trying to cover the hearing.
Then, after 4 pm et, an aide to Auchincloss let the Colbert 9 back into the Capitol complex.
Then, after 4 pm et, an aide to Auchincloss let the Colbert 9 back into the Capitol complex.
7) Fox is told the aide thought they had other interviews to do.
But later that night, around 8:30 pm et, the same Capitol Police officers who asked them to leave earlier in the day found the Colbert 9 in the Longworth House Office Building.
But later that night, around 8:30 pm et, the same Capitol Police officers who asked them to leave earlier in the day found the Colbert 9 in the Longworth House Office Building.
8) Fox is told they being loud and shooting skits outside the office of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO). Fox is told they also performed skits near the office of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).
9) Capitol Police arrested the nine and charged them with unlawful entry. They spent part of the night in jail before being released early the next morning. They were slated to have a court appearance on Wednesday.
Among those arrested: Robert Smigel.
Among those arrested: Robert Smigel.
10) Smigel is the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Smigel is also known for animated TV Funhouse skits on Saturday Night Live.
Fox is told the Capitol Police are upset about the decision to drop the charges. But USCP say they “respect” the decision.
Fox is told the Capitol Police are upset about the decision to drop the charges. But USCP say they “respect” the decision.
11) Sources close to the Capitol Police tell Fox this undercuts law enforcement as they try to secure the Capitol complex after the riot.
12) Prosecutors didn’t think they could prove the case
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