Robert Smigel (as Triumph) and “Late Show” producers arrested at the Capitol
June 18, 2022 Andrew Buss News, Robert Smigel
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple weeks, you’ve heard about the January 6th hearings going on. It’s literally been taking over the news cycle. Well, The Late Show sent the best correspondent imaginable Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (played by Robert Smigel) for the event. However, things didn’t go quite as planned.
Smigel and a production crew of 8 others were on site Wednesday and Thursday to cover the proceedings. According to CBS, they had all the proper authorization. However, after wrapping for the day, they reportedly stayed behind to grab some quick pickups. It’s at this point that they were detained by Capitol police and charged with “unlawful entry.”
Statements from both the Capitol and CBS are below. Obviously the story is still breaking and we’ll update with more information as we hear it.
From Capitol Police: 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. 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. They were charged with Unlawful Entry. This is an active criminal investigation, and may result in additional criminal charges after consultation with the U.S. Attorney.
From CBS: On Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was on-site at the Capitol with a production team to record interviews for a comedy segment on behalf of The Late Show.
Their interviews at the Capitol were authorized and pre-arranged through Congressional aides of the members interviewed.
After leaving the members’ offices on their last interview of the day, the production team stayed to film stand-ups and other final comedy elements in the halls when they were detained by Capitol Police.
