Two police officers who defended the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, are suing the Trump administration in an attempt to block a new $1.8 billion Justice Department compensation fund designed to provide relief to Americans the administration says were targeted by politically motivated Biden-era prosecutions.
Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and Metropolitan Police officer Daniel Hodges filed suit this week against President Donald Trump, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, claiming the administration lacks the authority to establish what critics have labeled an “anti-weaponization” fund without congressional approval.
The lawsuit argues the fund could ultimately compensate some January 6 defendants and members of “paramilitary groups,” with the officers <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/jan-6-officers-lawsuit-trump-fund.html">warning</a> it could embolden political violence.
 “In the most brazen act of presidential corruption this century, President Donald J Trump has created a $1.776bn taxpayer-funded slush fund to finance the insurrectionists and paramilitary groups that commit violence in his name,” the complaint states.
The Trump administration, however, has framed the program very differently — not as a reward system for rioters, but as a mechanism to compensate Americans who faced politically selective prosecutions and excessive legal punishment under the Biden administration.
Vice President JD Vance defended the program during a White House press briefing on Tuesday, accusing the media of distorting the fund&#8217;s purpose. 
“This is about compensating Americans for the lawfare that we saw under the last administration,” Vance said. “Anybody can apply for it. Republicans can apply for it, Democrats can apply for it.”
Vance also rejected claims that the fund would personally benefit Trump or his family. 
“Is $1 of this money going to the Trump administration? No. Is $1 of this money going to Donald Trump personally? No,” he said.
When pressed on whether individuals convicted in connection with January 6 could potentially receive compensation, Vance said the administration would review claims individually rather than issue blanket exclusions. 
“We’re not trying to give money to anybody who attacked a police officer,” Vance said. “We’re trying to compensate people where the book was thrown at them, they were mistreated by the legal system.”
The vice president argued the fund is part of a broader effort to “turn the page” on what the administration views as politically motivated prosecutions during the Biden years. 
“Let’s not prosecute people because they said the wrong thing, or because they had the wrong political candidate, or because they had the wrong viewpoint,” Vance said.
Critics of the program point to the more than 1,500 pardons and commutations Trump issued for January 6 defendants earlier this year, arguing the compensation fund could become another avenue for rewarding political allies. 
Supporters of the initiative, however, argue that many defendants faced disproportionate charges, financial ruin, and years-long legal battles tied to what they view as prosecutions they believe were politically driven.
The lawsuit comes as the administration continues to make anti-weaponization and transparency efforts a central political theme heading into the 2026 midterms.

January 6

J6 Officers Sue Trump Over $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund

Capitol Police

Capitol Riot

Courts

Politics

On Monday, a staffer for Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was arrested for carrying a gun on the grounds of the United States Capitol without a license, according to authorities.
NOTUS first <a href="https://x.com/UrsulaPerano/status/1907102570876649594" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the employee, Kevin Batts, was detained before his boss embarked on a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/spartacus-cory-booker-delivers-marathon-senate-floor-speech-to-protest-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marathon speech</a> on the Senate floor against President Donald Trump&#8217;s policies.
&#8220;Yesterday afternoon a Member of Congress led an IDed staff member around security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building. Later that evening, outside the Senate Galleries, the IDed staff member — who is a retired law enforcement officer — told our officers he was armed,” Capitol Police said in a statement, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5225803-senator-cory-booker-staffer-arrested/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to The Hill.
&#8220;The staff member, 59-year-old Kevin A. Batts of New Jersey, was arrested for Carrying a Pistol Without a License,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia.&#8221;
Booker went ahead with his remarks despite the incident. As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the senator had been speaking for roughly 20 hours. If he breaks past 24 hours and 18 minutes, Booker will beat the record established by the late Strom Thurmond from South Carolina when he delivered a filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act.
In a statement <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cory-booker-staffer-arrested-allegedly-carrying-pistol-without-license-capitol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained</a> by Fox News, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Democrat said, &#8220;Sen. Booker’s office employs a retired Newark police detective as a New Jersey-based driver who often accompanies him to events. We are working to better understand the circumstances around this.&#8221;
Responding to news of the arrest, the National Association for Gun Rights highlighted <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/hochul-blasts-outrageous-scotus-decision-on-nys-gun-permit-law-heres-what-local-leaders-say/3746435/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comments</a> from Booker in 2022 criticizing a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a New York law requiring individuals to show <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/supreme-court-rules-against-new-yorks-gun-permit-law/3746400/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;proper cause&#8221;</a> for a concealed carry license.
&#8220;Cory Booker snuck an armed employee into Capitol Hill,&#8221; the group said in a <a href="https://x.com/NatlGunRights/status/1907144981812531414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on X. &#8220;Of course, the staffer should not need to be &#8216;licensed&#8217; to carry. Rights do not require a permission slip. Unfortunately, Sen. Booker does not agree. They force laws down upon you that they happily break themselves.&#8221;

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Cory Booker Staffer Arrested For Alleged Gun Violation On Capitol Grounds

Congress

Cory Booker

U.S.

U.S. Senate

U.S. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/capitol-police" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capitol Police</a> arrested a man on Wednesday evening near the Grant Memorial who claimed that he had napalm in his car, according to a source familiar with the incident.
The incident happened around the time that President-elect Donald Trump was set to visit the U.S. Capitol to pay his respects to the late former President Jimmy Carter.
A grounds crew worker noticed the man trying to light something on fire by his car, which was parked in front of the statute, according to a source familiar with the matter.
When asked what he was doing, the man communicated that he had &#8220;napalm&#8221; in the car and was &#8220;trying to light it on fire,&#8221; according to the source.
Napalm is a highly flammable substance that was developed by U.S. scientists during WWII and has been used on the battlefield in flamethrowers and bombs.
Capitol Police acknowledged on X that they had responded to the incident after receiving a suspicious vehicle report.
&#8220;Our officers have taken the driver into custody,&#8221; USCP said in a statement. &#8220;As is routine, our bomb squad will investigate the suspicious vehicle.&#8221;
Police shut down a wide area around the vehicle and advised the public to stay away.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Our officers have taken the driver into custody. As is routine, our bomb squad will investigate the suspicious vehicle.
Please continue to stay away from the area. <a href="https://t.co/PlA4bgNbkQ">pic.twitter.com/PlA4bgNbkQ</a>
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1877125469146952041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
In a separate incident on Wednesday, USCP arrested and charged a man for trying to bring weapons inside the Visitor Center.
Police officers stopped that man just after 2 p.m. after he “tried to get a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),” USCP said in a statement.
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“During security screening at the CVC’s north doors, our officers spotted a machete in the man’s bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete,” police said.
Police added that they also found three additional knives in his bag.
“The man is being arrested for multiple charges of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon,” they said.
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for update.

Washington, D.C. Cityscapes And City Views

Capitol Police Arrest Man Claiming To Have ‘Napalm’ At Grant Memorial

Crime

Terrorism

Washington D.C.

U.S. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/capitol-police" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capitol Police</a> arrested and charged a man on Wednesday afternoon for trying to bring weapons inside the Visitor Center.
The incident happened just hours before President-elect Donald Trump is set to arrive at the Capitol to pay his respects to the late former President Jimmy Carter, who died last week.
Police officers stopped that man just after 2 p.m. after he &#8220;tried to get a machete into the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC),&#8221; USCP said in a statement.
&#8220;During security screening at the CVC’s north doors, our officers spotted a machete in the man’s bag, stopped the x-ray machine, arrested the man, and secured the machete,&#8221; police said.
Police added that they also found three additional knives in his bag.
&#8220;The man is being arrested for multiple charges of Carrying a Dangerous Weapon,&#8221; they said.
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No other information was immediately available.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Three knives were also found in the bag, along with the machete. Security screening was temporarily stopped at the north side of the Capitol Visitor Center while we investigated.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1877087855383560220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote>

Winter Storm Brings Snow From Midwest To East Coast

U.S. Capitol Police Arrest Man For Trying To Bring Machete Inside Visitor Center

U.S. Capitol

Protesters representing the left-wing climate activist group Climate Defiance attempted to disrupt Wednesday evening&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congressional baseball game</a>, and then complained that they had been &#8220;brutalized&#8221; when the Capitol Police — on hand to protect the members of Congress who were playing and watching the game — actually policed the Capitol.
Several members of the group jumped over barriers and attempted to &#8220;take the field&#8221; — though most were tackled and handcuffed before they could even make it past the dirt track — to protest the continued use of fossil fuels and the fact that Chevron had sponsored the annual charity event.
When all was said and done, eight arrests were made and all of those involved were directed to exit the venue — with the crowd cheering on the police officers the whole time. But Climate Defiance was not amused, and responded later in a post to X.
&#8220;We were brutalized tonight — beaten and bruised as we took over the Congressional Baseball Game. Our bodies are bloodied but our spirits are unmoved. We will build a better world. We will rise again. We will prevail. Just you wait,&#8221; the post read.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We were brutalized tonight &#8211; beaten and bruised as we took over the Congressional Baseball Game. Our bodies are bloodied but our spirits are unmoved. We will build a better world. We will rise again. We will prevail. Just you wait. <a href="https://t.co/hganGo5Ogw">pic.twitter.com/hganGo5Ogw</a>
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateDefiance/status/1801095789516665206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
The group followed that with a link where people could donate to a legal fund for the eight members who remained in jail for their participation in the protest.
&#8220;Calm down Spartacus, you guys didn’t even make it out of Left field,&#8221; one person responded to the post.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Calm down Spartacus, you guys didn’t even make it out of Left field.
— Parker Thayer (@ParkerThayer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkerThayer/status/1801099599089660322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
&#8220;the greatest national security threat to our long term future is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not North Korea or Iran or any other country. It’s epidemic of theater kids who grew up on Glee &amp; didn’t get stuffed in lockers enough growing up. There’s still time. We must act,&#8221; another added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
the greatest national security threat to our long term future is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not North Korea or Iran or any other country.
It’s epidemic of theater kids who grew up on Glee &amp; didn’t get stuffed in lockers enough growing up.
There’s still time. We must act. <a href="https://t.co/SCEqJ3ecPF">https://t.co/SCEqJ3ecPF</a>
— Saurabh Sharma (@ssharmaUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ssharmaUS/status/1801274194677649882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
Several pointed out that not even ten years had passed since a left-wing shooter had opened fire on Republican members practicing for the Congressional baseball game in 2017 — and noted that given that history, the Climate Defiance activists were lucky they didn&#8217;t get shot.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
You essentially threatened sitting congressmen at a ball game 7 years after a congressman was shot at a practice session for this game that year.
You deserve your discomfort. <a href="https://t.co/SoAe1CWH2w">https://t.co/SoAe1CWH2w</a>
— Gail Helt (@ghelt) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghelt/status/1801241463344267522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
1. You were not “brutalized,” <a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateDefiance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClimateDefiance</a>, we all watched.
2. This “demonstration” was the epitome of tactics without a strategy.
3. Given the history surrounding the Congressional baseball game, the use of force was appropriate and justifiable.
4. Grow up.
— Jonathan Franks (@jonfranks) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonfranks/status/1801210054575550621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
Several pro-Hamas protesters also attempted to disrupt the game early on, but were escorted out after being drowned out by the crowd chanting, &#8220;USA! USA!&#8221;
Republicans won Wednesday evening&#8217;s contest in an absolute rout, 31-11. In the <a href="https://www.congressionalbaseball.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charity game&#8217;s history</a> — beginning in 1909 – Republicans have won the most games with 49. The largest margin of victory went to the Democrats, who won 36-4 in 1928.

Democrats Face Off Against Republicans In Annual Charity Congressional Baseball Game

‘We Were Brutalized Tonight’: Professional Climate Crybabies Mad That Capitol Police Protected Congress

'We Were Brutalized Tonight': Professional Climate Crybabies Mad That Capitol Police Protected Congress

Baseball

Climate Change

Protesters

Competing protests — of the pro-Hamas and anti-fossil fuels varieties — attempted to disrupt Wednesday evening&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congressional Baseball Game</a>, but both were quickly dispatched by Capitol Police.
Katie Pavlich shared video of the pro-Hamas group — who were drowned out by attendees who shouted back, &#8220;USA! USA!&#8221; — holding up signs that read &#8220;Let Gaza Live,&#8221; &#8220;Stop arming Israel,&#8221; and &#8220;Free Palestine!&#8221; The protesters further tried to cause a disturbance while the national anthem was playing, and quickly found themselves headed for the exits, forcefully encouraged by Capitol Police.
&#8220;The pro-Hamas losers have infiltrated the Congressional Baseball Game and were promptly drowned out by chants of USA! USA! 🇺🇸 Then the freaks shouted through their Chinese made masks during the National Anthem and were escorted out, to cheers, with their terror flag,&#8221; Pavlich posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The pro-Hamas losers have infiltrated the Congressional Baseball Game and were promptly drowned out by chants of USA! USA! 🇺🇸 Then the freaks shouted through their Chinese made masks during the National Anthem 
and were escorted out, to cheers, with their terror flag. 👏🏼 <a href="https://t.co/jd5umP6upo">pic.twitter.com/jd5umP6upo</a>
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatiePavlich/status/1801028828850004055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
The excitement did not end there, however, as Climate Defiance protesters tagged in and made their attempt to disrupt the game — a move they said was to protest the use of fossil fuels and the fact that Chevron was a sponsor of the charity game.
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The group shared their own video of the protesters making their move — most of whom were tackled by police and handcuffed before they made it past the dirt track — and bragged about how they had &#8220;taken the field.&#8221;
&#8220;BREAKING: We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game + play has FROZEN! Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels — but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable,&#8221; they posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game + play has FROZEN!
Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels — but the police are tackling us instead.
This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable. <a href="https://t.co/ZAM3kmm9f7">pic.twitter.com/ZAM3kmm9f7</a>
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateDefiance/status/1801045406807196037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
A follow-up post provided an update from the left-wing activist group: &#8220;UPDATE: Eight of us have been arrested for shutting down the Congressional Baseball Game. They are behind bars right now. Make no mistake: It’s the Members of Congress who should be locked up.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UPDATE: Eight of us have been arrested for shutting down the Congressional Baseball Game.
They are behind bars right now.
Make no mistake: It’s the Members of Congress who should be locked up. <a href="https://t.co/tNoB4jh0xp">pic.twitter.com/tNoB4jh0xp</a>
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateDefiance/status/1801063194032517594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
After the protesters were subdued, Larry O&#8217;Connor shared a photo of a Capitol Police Officer watching over the game. &#8220;Tonight&#8217;s MVP at the Congressional Baseball game,&#8221; he observed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Tonight&#8217;s MVP at the Congressional Baseball game. <a href="https://t.co/xDMJrxvwjY">pic.twitter.com/xDMJrxvwjY</a>
— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) <a href="https://twitter.com/LarryOConnor/status/1801041353716994420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2024</a></blockquote>

Washington Lawmakers Take Part In The Annual Congressional Baseball Game

Pro-Hamas And Climate Protesters Try To Tag-Team Congressional Baseball Game, Strike Out

Pro-Hamas

Video from January 6, 2021, released by House Republicans on Monday shows then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) acknowledging that she is responsible for not ensuring that law enforcement and the National Guard were &#8220;prepare[d] for more&#8221; during the Capitol riot.
In the newly-released footage posted to X by the House Oversight Subcommittee, Pelosi appears to be in the process of being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol as she rides in the back of a vehicle with staffers. Pelosi is seen discussing the riot that had broken out and expressing frustration that the National Guard wasn&#8217;t &#8220;there to begin with.&#8221;
&#8220;We have responsibility, Terri,&#8221; Pelosi said, appearing to talk to her chief of staff, Terri McCullough. &#8220;We did not have any accountability for what was going on there, and we should have.&#8221;
&#8220;This is ridiculous. You&#8217;re going to ask me in the middle of the thing when they&#8217;ve already breached the inaugural stuff that should we call the Capitol Police &#8230; I mean, the National Guard?&#8221; Pelosi added. &#8220;Why weren&#8217;t the National Guard there to begin with?&#8221;
McCullough began to answer, saying authorities &#8220;thought they had sufficient &#8230;&#8221; before Pelosi cut her off.
&#8220;No, it is not a question of how they had &#8230; they don&#8217;t know. They clearly didn&#8217;t know,&#8221; Pelosi said. &#8220;And I take responsibility for not having them just prepare for more.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 Since January 6, 2021, Nancy Pelosi spent 3+ years and nearly $20 million creating a narrative to blame Donald Trump.
NEW FOOTAGE shows on January 6, Pelosi ADMITTED:
&#8220;I take responsibility.&#8221;
WATCH: <a href="https://t.co/95a0totTWB">pic.twitter.com/95a0totTWB</a>
— Oversight Subcommittee (@OversightAdmn) <a href="https://twitter.com/OversightAdmn/status/1800207258514575730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>
The video clip is part of 45 minutes of footage recently obtained by the House Oversight Subcommittee.
Democrats, including Pelosi, have spent more than three years accusing former President Donald Trump and his supporters of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and foment an insurrection. Pelosi greenlit the House January 6 Select Committee, which spent months looking into the events of that day and hearing testimonies from Capitol Police officers and former Trump officials. The committee concluded by recommending insurrection charges against Trump.
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Trump is also being tried in a Washington, D.C., court for alleged election interference, a trial unlikely to begin before the 2024 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the election interference charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
House Republicans issued a report in 2022 on the Capitol breach, which <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/12/21/house-gop-report-faults-nancy-pelosi-for-jan-6-security-failures/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> that Democrat leaders were concerned about the &#8220;optics&#8221; of deploying the National Guard to quell the riot &#8220;in the aftermath of the Summer 2020 ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests.&#8221;  It took around four hours for the National Guard to respond and send troops to the Capitol.
Trump has accused Pelosi of bearing responsibility for the January 6 riot, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=296429096418518" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> earlier this year, &#8220;I think it was an insurrection caused by Nancy Pelosi.&#8221;
A spokesman for Pelosi responded to the Oversight Subcommittee&#8217;s clip, telling Fox News, &#8220;Numerous independent fact-checkers have confirmed again and again that Speaker Pelosi did not plan her own assassination on January 6th.&#8221;
&#8220;As the footage in its entirety plainly shows, Speaker Pelosi sprang into action in response to the attack on the Capitol — mobilizing the defense of the Capitol, urging the Administration to deploy the National Guard and coordinating the continuity of government,&#8221; Pelosi&#8217;s office added. &#8220;Cherry-picked, out-of-context clips do not change the fact that the Speaker of the House is not in charge of the security of the Capitol Complex — on January 6th or any other day of the week. Three years later, House Republicans are still attempting to whitewash the deadly insurrection.&#8221;

Nancy Pelosi

Unearthed Jan. 6 Footage Shows Pelosi ‘Take Responsibility’ For Not Having Authorities ‘Prepare For More’

Unearthed Jan. 6 Footage Shows Pelosi 'Take Responsibility' For Not Having Authorities 'Prepare For More'

January 6 Committee

National Guard

US Capitol

United States Capitol Police (USCP) said Thursday that they will not charge anyone in the case of a Democratic staffer allegedly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-democrat-staffer-caught-filming-gay-sex-tape-in-judiciary-hearing-room-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filming himself having gay sex</a> in the Hart Senate Office Building.
Explicit leaked video obtained by The Daily Caller in December appears to show two men filming a pornographic video inside the Senate Judiciary Room.
&#8220;USCP says they will not charge anyone in the sex video incident in the Senate hearing room,&#8221; reporter Jake Sherman said Thursday, captioning a screenshot of a statement from USCP.
The statement noted that the staffer, who has since resigned, &#8220;exercised his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and refused to talk&#8221; to authorities. Additionally, USCP did not close the door on revamping the investigation if new evidence emerges.
&#8220;For now, we are closing the investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding a sex video that was recorded inside the Hart Senate Office Building on the morning of Wednesday, December 13,” the statement said.
“After consulting with federal and local prosecutors, as well as doing a comprehensive investigation and review of possible charges, it was determined that — despite a likely violation of Congressional policy — there is currently no evidence that a crime was committed,&#8221; USCP continued.
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“Although the hearing room was not open to the public at the time, the Congressional staffer involved had access to the room. The two people of interest were no cooperative nor were the elements of any of the possible crimes met,&#8221; the statement said.
“The Congressional staffer, who has since resigned from his job, exercised his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and refused to talk to us,” USCP added. “Our investigators are willing to review new evidence should any come to light.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
USCP says they will not charge anyone in the sex video incident in a Senate hearing room. <a href="https://t.co/9ocL5zWg4k">pic.twitter.com/9ocL5zWg4k</a>
&mdash; Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1753062183578038294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Aidan Maese-Czeropski, who worked as an aide for Democrat Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), was accused of being one of the men in the video, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/aide-to-maryland-senator-leaves-job-following-allegations-sexual-misconduct-in-senate-building/">according</a> to CBS News.
Cardin&#8217;s office in December said in a statement that Maese-Czeropski &#8220;is no longer employed by the U.S. Senate,&#8221; adding, &#8220;We will have no further comment on this personnel matter.&#8221;
Shortly after, Maese-Czeropski issued a statement on his LinkedIn account, CBS News reported.
&#8220;While some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace,&#8221; the ex-staffer wrote. &#8220;Any attempts to characterize my actions otherwise are fabricated and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-democrat-staffer-caught-filming-gay-sex-tape-in-judiciary-hearing-room-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate Democrat Staffer Caught Filming Gay Sex Tape In Judiciary Hearing Room: Report</a>

Amy Coney Barrett Hearing Room

Capitol Police Say No Charges For Dem Staffer Who Allegedly Filmed Gay Sex In Senate Office Building

Capitol Police Say No Charges For Senate Dem Staffer Who Allegedly Filmed Gay Sex In Hearing Room

The family of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ashli-babbitt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ashli Babbitt</a>, an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot in the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, sued the U.S. government for $30 million on Friday claiming Babbitt was &#8220;ambushed&#8221; by a police officer.
Conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch <a href="https://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Estate-of-Ashli-Babbitt-and-Arron-Babbitt-et-al.-v.-U.S.A-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed the suit</a> in California federal court on behalf of Babbitt&#8217;s estate and husband, Aaron, who is a resident of San Diego, alleging counts that included assault and battery, negligence, wrongful death and more.
The complaint particularly raises issues with the U.S. Capitol Police and then-Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd, the officer who shot Babbitt as she attempted to pass through a broken window of a barricaded lobby door, unarmed, during the breach that disrupted lawmakers certifying Joe Biden&#8217;s presidential victory.
“The only homicide on January 6 was the unlawful shooting death of Ashli Babbitt. Her homicide by Lt. Byrd is a scandal beyond belief. This historic lawsuit seeks a measure of justice and government accountability for Ashli’s wrongful death,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a <a href="https://www.judicialwatch.org/wrongful-death-lawsuit-babbitt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.
“Judicial Watch and our supporters are honored to represent Ashli’s steadfast widower Aaron Babbitt and her estate in this legal action. Ashli was shot in cold blood and the rule of law requires justice for her,&#8221; Fitton added.
Among the assertions made in the complaint was that Byrd was not in uniform during the incident and &#8220;did not identify himself as a police officer or otherwise make his presence known to Ashli. Lt. Byrd did not give Ashli any warnings or commands before shooting her dead.&#8221;
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/department-justice-closes-investigation-death-ashli-babbitt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> in April 2021 that prosecutors would not pursue charges against Byrd for the fatal shooting of Babbitt, who was 35 at the time of her death.
An investigation &#8220;revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber,&#8221; the DOJ said.
Months later, in August 2021, the U.S. Capitol Police said Byrd would <a href="https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/uscp-completes-internal-investigation-january-6-officer-involved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not face internal discipline</a>. In an interview <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officer-who-shot-ashli-babbitt-during-capitol-riot-breaks-silence-n1277736" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with NBC News</a> that aired later that month, Byrd revealed his identity and claimed he opened fire as a &#8220;last resort.&#8221;

Ashli Babbitt sign

Ashli Babbitt’s Family Sues U.S. Govt For $30 Million

Ashli Babbitt's Family Sues U.S. Govt For $30 Million

Ashli Babbitt

California

Judicial Watch

An unidentified House Democrat reportedly told Axios that Wednesday evening&#8217;s pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Washington, D.C., had been more frightening than the Capitol breach that took place on January 6, 2021.
According to multiple reports, pro-Palestinian protesters forced lockdowns at the Democratic National Committee and House office buildings, clashing with police as they demanded a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.
At least one Democratic lawmaker reportedly drew a comparison to the January 6th riot on Capitol Hill, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/dnc-lawmakers-evacuated-house-offices-lockdown-israel-hamas-war-protest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">telling Axios</a> that the events &#8220;scared me more than January 6.&#8221; When the House member attempted to leave the DNC, &#8220;someone sent out word for people to come [back] and police said it&#8217;s not safe. Police were wearing gas masks &#8230; this was not peaceful.&#8221;
Capitol Police apparently agreed with that assessment, calling the demonstration &#8220;unlawful&#8221; and saying, &#8220;We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last night’s group was not peaceful. The crowd failed to obey our lawful orders to move back from the DNC, where Members of Congress were in the building.&#8221;
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&#8220;When the group moved dumpsters in front of the exits, pepper sprayed our officers and attempted to pick up the bike rack, our teams quickly introduced consequences – pulling people off the building, pushing them back, and clearing them from the area, so we could safely evacuate the Members and staff,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;Six officers were treated for injuries, from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
USCP statement on the unlawful demonstration outside of the DNC: <a href="https://t.co/Z5fsf7HfZD">https://t.co/Z5fsf7HfZD</a> <a href="https://t.co/N4cd9xFYOs">pic.twitter.com/N4cd9xFYOs</a>
&mdash; The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1725160884618621048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wednesday evening&#8217;s violent protest — which reportedly involved around 150 pro-Palestinian activists — came just one day after nearly 300,000 gathered on the National Mall to show solidarity with the Jewish people and stand with Israel.
At that event, there were no reports of violence or conflicts with police — and the only reports of vandalism were <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/gaza-will-win-painted-tents-march-israel-1843745" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-Israel slogans</a> and slurs <a href="https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/graffiti-pro-march-israel-rally-washington-dc-national-mall-us-captiol-hamas-jewish-middle-east-conflict-war-palestine-death-toll-biden-hostages-gaza-israelis-palestinians-bowser-security-anti-defamation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spray-painted</a> on portable toilets and an EMT tent that was set up for attendees.

Jewish Peace Activists Rally Near Capitol Hill

House Democrat Says Pro-Palestinian Protest ‘Scared Me More Than January 6’: Report

House Democrat Says Pro-Palestinian Protest 'Scared Me More Than January 6': Report

Democratic National Committee

General

Palestinians

Protests

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) evacuated the area around the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/democratic-national-committee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Democratic National Committee</a> (DNC) headquarters in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington, D.C.</a>, on Wednesday night responding to a protest that resulted in multiple arrests and injured officers.
An estimated 200 demonstrators gathered outside of the DNC to protest U.S. support for Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The protest, organized in part by the anti-Israel group If Not Now, called for President Joe Biden to push for a ceasefire between Israel and the terror group.
The protest deteriorated into a riot through the evening. Police warned people away from the area and evacuated bystanders and some top lawmakers away from the DNC after the gathering became violent, according to police.
“We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last night’s group was not peaceful. The crowd failed to obey our lawful orders to move back from the DNC, where Members of Congress were in the building,” USCP said in a <a href="https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/uscp-statement-unlawful-demonstration-outside-dnc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> Thursday morning.
“When the group moved dumpsters in front of the exits, pepper sprayed our officers and attempted to pick up the bike rack, our teams quickly introduced consequences – pulling people off the building, pushing them back, and clearing them from the area, so we could safely evacuate the Members and staff,” the statement continued.
If Not Now blamed the violence on police, claiming that the gathering was peaceful.
“Police are being extremely violent outside @TheDemocrats headquarters. We are linking arms, threatening no one, and begging our politicians to support an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza. Begging, peacefully, for a ceasefire,” the group <a href="https://twitter.com/IfNotNowOrg/status/1724953061150302289" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a>.
Police said that six officers were hurt in the riot, with injuries ranging from pepper spray to taking punches. At least one person, 24-year-old Ruben Arthur Camacho, was arrested for assaulting a police officer, according to police.
The riot lasted for over an hour. USCP announced that it had <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1724988429501395191" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cleared</a> out the area just after 9 p.m. Evacuations during the violent demonstration included some members of Congress who had met at the DNC.
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“Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building. Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely,” Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman of California posted to social media.
Others at the DNC included the top three House Democratic lawmakers: Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, according to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/capitol-police-evacuating-dnc-palestine-protest-turned-violent-rcna125459" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>.
Democratic Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois was also evacuated from the DNC.
“You have the Constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest. But blocking all entries to a building with multiple members of Congress in it, protected by Capitol Police officers who have lived through January 6 is putting you and other innocent people at risk,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanCasten/status/1724977336573976833" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a>.

Democratic National Committee protest

Violent Pro-Palestinian ‘Protest’ Spurs Evacuations At Democrats’ D.C. Headquarters: Police

Violent Pro-Palestinian Protest Spurs Evacuations At Democrats’ D.C. Headquarters: Police

Hamas

Israel

U.S. Capitol police arrested an unidentified man armed with an AR-15 in a park near the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, according to authorities.
“USCP Officers just arrested a man with a gun in the park across from Union Station,&#8221; Capitol police <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1721948851387396117" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on X. &#8220;At this time we have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat. We are working to gather more information and will put out more details when they are confirmed.”
Capitol police said authorities searched and secured the park and the suspect’s belongings “out of an abundance of caution.” The suspect remained in police custody on Tuesday afternoon amid an ongoing investigation.
Authorities <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/police-arrest-man-armed-ar-15-near-capitol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> to Fox News the gun in possession of the suspect was an AR-15 and that they believed he was acting alone.
Due to the heavy police activity, authorities restricted access near the Capitol. They announced road closures along Columbus Circle between Louisiana and Delaware Avenues, NE, and D Street between Louisiana and Delaware Avenues, NE.
USCP authorities also <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadPergram/status/1721951520038490564" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> responded to a suspicious package in the Upper Senate Park and warned staff and other personnel to avoid the area until further notice. It is unknown if the two incidents were related.
The arrest comes three days after authorities apprehended two individuals with firearms after the suspects crashed a stolen car into a barricade near the Capitol.
Police identified the two suspects as Ricardo L. Glass and Onosetale Okojie of Washington, D.C., both 20 years old, who were arrested for several charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and unlawful possession of a machine gun, according to Capitol police.
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In a <a href="https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/uscp-officers-confiscate-guns-capture-criminals-who-crashed-stolen-car" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news release</a>, authorities said on Sunday the suspects were idling at a green light near Union Station in a stolen white Infiniti Q50 when an officer noticed the driver could be impaired. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver sped away and crashed into a Capitol vehicle barricade near 1st and D Streets around the northeast side of the city.
Glass and Okojie then ran away from the crash, which happened to be near the USCP headquarters, and attempted to escape until they were captured in the area, according to the news release.
Authorities later searched the stolen vehicle and confiscated two Glock handguns – one of which had a “Giggle Switch” to turn the weapon into a machine gun.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
USCP Officers Confiscate Guns, Capture Criminals Who Crashed Stolen Car into Capitol Complex Barricade: <a href="https://t.co/p17Fxd7QYL">https://t.co/p17Fxd7QYL</a> <a href="https://t.co/dTmh4w60W4">pic.twitter.com/dTmh4w60W4</a>
&mdash; The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitolPolice/status/1721606022861644090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
U.S. Capitol police said authorities have confiscated more than 30 guns in 2023.
“All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds — even if you have a gun that is legally registered in another state or the District of Columbia,” police said.

U.S. Capitol Police Arrest Man With Gun Near The Capitol Building

Man With AR-15 Arrested Near U.S. Capitol

Man With AR-15 Arrested Near US Capitol

Gun Laws

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