A tense moment during a Senate hearing drew attention after a protester appeared to suffer a serious injury while being removed from the room. The confrontation unfolded during testimony before a congressional subcommittee and involved a military veteran, Capitol Police officers, and a U.S. senator.
Brian McGinnis appears to break his bone while being dragged away
Marine Corps veteran Brian McGinnis appeared to break his arm during a struggle with police and Senator Tim Sheehy at a Senate hearing on military readiness. The incident occurred when McGinnis interrupted proceedings at the Armed Services Subcommittee hearing by shouting, “America does not want to send its sons and daughters to war for Israel!” Capitol Police moved to remove him from the gallery after the outburst.
Sheehy, a Republican senator from Montana and former Navy SEAL, left the dais and joined officers trying to remove McGinnis. Video of the incident showed McGinnis hooking his left arm around a door frame. Officers pushed him toward the exit. During the struggle, a snapping sound echoed through the room. An onlooker then accused the senator of breaking McGinnis’ hand.
When asked whether his hand was OK after the struggle, McGinnis responded, “No, it’s not.” His campaign manager, Mark Elbourno, later said officers arrested McGinnis and transported him to George Washington University Hospital. As officers escorted him out of the building, McGinnis told people nearby that his left arm was broken.
Capitol Police acknowledged that McGinnis sustained an injury. However, the department said he forced his arm between the door and frame while resisting removal. In a statement, Capitol Police said McGinnis had “put everyone in a dangerous position by violently resisting.” The statement added, “Protests are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. There are plenty of other spots on Capitol Grounds, outside, where demonstrations are allowed.”
McGinnis faces seven charges. Authorities listed three counts of allegedly assaulting officers and three counts of resisting arrest. Elbourno disputed the assault claims, saying, “He wasn’t assaulting anybody. He just wanted to be heard [and was] speaking loud and clear. He was assaulted, actually. They broke his arm.”
