Late Show Staffers Arrested at U.S. Capitol After Taping Robert Smigel Segment

Seven people working with The Late Show With Stephen Colbert were arrested Thursday night at the U.S. Capitol after filming a sketch involving Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the character voiced by Robert Smigel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smigel was among those arrested for unlawful entry.

"On Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was on-site at the Capitol with a production team to record interviews for a comedy segment on behalf of The Late Show," a CBS spokesperson said in a statement provided to THR. "Their interviews at the Capitol were authorized and pre-arranged through Congressional aides of the members interviewed. After leaving the members' offices on their last interview of the day, the production team stayed to film stand-ups and other final comedy elements in the halls when they were detained by Capitol Police."

The U.S. Capitol Police says the group was confronted by officers in the Longworth House Office Building at around 8:30 PM ET on Thursday, after visiting hours had ended.

"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," USCP said in a statement.

The Late Show group was charged with unlawful entry, but USCP says the incident is still being investigated. "This is an active criminal investigation, and may result in additional criminal charges after consultation with the U.S. Attorney," the statement added.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 PM ET on CBS.

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Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.