A disruption briefly halted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of an individual inside a Capitol Hill hearing room.
Per Fox News, U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that one person was taken into custody after interrupting the hearing, which was being held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The incident occurred moments before Rubio was scheduled to begin his opening remarks on U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
As the disruption unfolded, a man in the audience stood up, shouted about a “war crime,” and displayed a sign reading “Hands Off Venezuela.” The interruption prompted an immediate response from committee leadership.
“All right, here we go … you know the drill, off to jail,” said committee chairman Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho.
A disruption briefly halted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of an individual inside a Capitol Hill hearing room.
Per Fox News, U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that one person was taken into custody after interrupting the hearing, which was being held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The incident occurred moments before Rubio was scheduled to begin his opening remarks on U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
As the disruption unfolded, a man in the audience stood up, shouted about a “war crime,” and displayed a sign reading “Hands Off Venezuela.” The interruption prompted an immediate response from committee leadership.
“All right, here we go … you know the drill, off to jail,” said committee chairman Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho.
Risch then outlined the consequences for such conduct under committee rules. “That’s a one-year ban from the committee. Anyone who is a persistent violator will be banned for three years.
So, I don’t know whether the guy falls in that category, looks like it,” he said, adding, “I hope after three years he’ll find a more productive means of employment.”
Addressing Rubio after order was restored, Risch remarked on the frequency of such incidents. “Secretary Rubio, we have two hearings a week. You know, you seem to have a more robust following than most of our witnesses that come before us.”
“There’ll be a couple more. Thank you for stopping the clock, but I appreciate it,” Rubio replied.
Capitol Police later stated that the individual was arrested for demonstrating during an official committee proceeding. “It is against the law to protest inside the congressional buildings,” the U.S. Capitol Police told Fox News Digital.
The disruption came despite a warning Risch had delivered to attendees before the hearing began. While thanking the audience for being present, he emphasized the committee’s strict enforcement policy.
“This is a public hearing. It is also the official business of the United States of America. And as a result of that, the committee has a zero-tolerance policy for interruptions or for attempts by anyone in the room to communicate with somebody up here or the witness,” Risch said.
He continued, “So, as a result of that, if you do disrupt, you will be arrested. You’ll be banned for a year.”
Risch also noted that some attendees had previously been barred from committee proceedings and later reinstated. “However, I’m told that we have some guests today who have completed their ban and are back with us again today.
“We hope you’ve had the time to think about your indiscretions and will behave yourself today. If you don’t, as a persistent violator, you’ll be banned for three years this time.”
THE THIRD FORCE
