Two pro-Trump rioters arrested for storming the Capitol last week told the FBI that a police officer shook their hands when they entered the building and told them “it’s your house now”.
Robert Bauer, of Kentucky, and his cousin Edward Hemenway, from Virginia admitted to FBI agents that they were a part of the mob that stormed the Capitol last Wednesday because Trump told them to do so in his speech at the ‘March for Trump’ rally that preceded the attack.
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“Both men remembered encountering a police officer after they entered. According to Bauer the police officer grabbed his hand, shook it, and said, ‘it’s your house now.’ Bauer believed the police officer was acting out of fear,” the complaint reads. “Hemenway similarly recalled the officer shaking Hemenway’s hand and Hemenway said “sorry,” to which the officer replied, ‘it’s your house now, man’ and gave Hemenway a half hug.”
Both men have been charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct and knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds. They pleaded not guilty in federal court on Friday.
Capitol Police have come under increase scrutiny since the riot last week. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund has resigned amid criticism of his handling of the riot. Two officers were suspended for their conduct during the riot. One was seen posing for selfies with rioters and the other directed people around the building while wearing a MAGA hat.
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A Capitol Police spokeswoman told The Hill that the department “is actively reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and policies.”
“Our Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating these behaviors for disciplinary action, up to, and including, termination. Several USCP officers have already been suspended pending the outcome of their investigations,” Capitol Police communications director Eva Malecki added.
