Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and 6 Other Stephen Colbert Staff Arrested Outside the Capitol, Charged with Illegal Entry

Actor and comedian Robert Smigel, best known for his role as puppeteer Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, along with six other staff members of “The Late Show” starring Stephen Colbert were arrested at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday for illegal entry.

The group of seven staff members were on the Capitol grounds Wednesday and Thursday to film interviews for an upcoming comedy segment on “The Late Show,” according to a statement CBS provided to Insider, when they were detained.

“Their interviews on Capitol Hill were cleared and pre-arranged by the congressional aides of the interviewed members,” the CBS statement read.

U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement to Insider that after responding to a call about a disturbance, officers saw the individuals, unescorted and without congressional ID, in a sixth floor hallway. floor of the Longworth House office block.

“The building was closed to visitors, and it was determined that these individuals were part of a group that had been ordered by the USCP to vacate the building earlier in the day,” read a statement from the agency. U.S. Capitol Police Public Information Officer, who confirmed the group was charged with unlawful entry.

Smigel, along with other members of the detained band, did not respond to Insider’s requests for comment.

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was originally a character on NBC’s “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and has appeared on and off on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” since 2016.

“This is an active criminal investigation, and may result in additional criminal charges after consultation with the U.S. Attorney,” read a statement from the U.S. Capitol Police public information officer.