A Crew from 'Late Show with Stephen Colbert' were Arrested at the Capitol While Filming a Sketch

LOS ANGELES – Seven people from CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” including veteran SNL comic writer Robert Smigel, were arrested by Capitol Police on June 16 while they were filming a sketch featuring Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

According to a statement from Capitol Police, the show was allowed to shoot in Congress, but were detained after they were found “unescorted and without Congressional ID, in a sixth-floor hallway.”

The statement went on to say, “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.”

CBS confirmed that an incident took place with the Capitol Police while a production team to support the angry puppet character Triumph the Insult Comic Dog were on an authorized shoot in Congress.

Among the seven crew members arrested was Robert Smigel, the writer and comedian behind Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

The team was detained in the Longworth House Office Building at 8:30 p.m. on June 16 when the group was found “unescorted and without Congressional ID, in a sixth-floor hallway,” according to police.