New Security Breach: Capitol Police arrest 7 people tied to comedian Colbert for 'unlawful entry'

In a major security breach in the shadows of the Jan. 6 hearings, Capitol Police alerted Congress on Friday that at least seven individuals tied to comedian Stephen Colbert's TV show were arrested for "unlawful entry" to the Capitol Police, according to authorities and lawmakers.

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., the top Republican on the House Administration Committee that oversees Capitol security, confirmed the arrests Friday evening after his staff received a briefing from police. "The only people arrested by Capitol Police for touring the House office buildings are the people that work for Stephen Colbert," he said.

CBS confirmed to Just the News that the staffers for Colbert entered the building, but claimed their entry was prearranged with congressional aides and that the production team lingered in the building to film comedic bits for the show.

Capitol Police declined to identify the seven arrested individuals but confirmed to Just the News that the apprehensions occurred at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Longworth House Office Building, across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Capitol.

It was the second time the individuals had been spotted unauthorized in the building that day and all were taken into custody, police said. Congressional officials briefed on the matter said those apprehended were affiliated with Colbert's "Late Show" on CBS.

A spokesperson for Colbert's show, an agent for the comedian and a CBS corporate communications officials did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment.

Capitol Police told Just the News the seven individuals were arrested on charges of unlawful entry into the complex.

"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," Capitol Police said in statement. 

"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." 

"This is an active criminal investigation, and may result in additional criminal charges after consultation with the U.S. Attorney," Capitol Police added.

In an interview with Fox News, Davis said police confirmed to his staff that the seven individuals had previously been ejected from the Capitol complex in a different House office building earlier Thursday and somehow made it back into the Longworth building at night, where they were creating a disturbance near some GOP lawmakers office.

A senior law enforcement official told Just the News that police are investigating whether staff for one or more Democrat congressmen helped facilitate the individuals re-entering the building. "This is being treated as a serious security matter and more charges could be brought depending on what prosecutors determine," the official said.