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"No Current Investigation" Into Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher Over Capitol Security Incident

Emilie Ritter Saunders
/
Boise State Public Radio

U.S. Capitol Police say they’re not currently investigating Congressman Russ Fulcher over a claim he shoved his way past an officer in January.

HuffPost reporter Matt Fuller has published two stories recently, saying Fulcher “manhandled” an officeras he pushed past her after the House installed new security checkpoints.

“Fulcher did not appear to be trying to injure the officer, but the incident was nonetheless jarring and out of the ordinary,” Fuller wrote, noting that the officer “appeared shaken” by the incident, but didn’t want to be interviewed by the press.

Fuller also reported thatFulcher was under investigation for the incident, saying he had been interviewed by Capitol Police as a witness.

"No civilian would get away with grabbing a cop like that and pushing them aside so forcefully," Fuller said, noting he was "glad" to learn about these apparent investigations.

In January, House leaders installed those new checkpoints after the violent insurrection by a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol hoping to overturn the presidential election.

Fulcher admitted that he and other House members wouldn’t comply with the security screenings, but said he was “unaware of any rude interactions” between them and police.

A letter from U.S. Capitol Police sent to Fulcher’s office on Thursday said there was no current investigation into the incident. Capitol Police didn’t immediately respond to questions about if there had been any previous investigations.

Fulcher called the situation “dehumanizing,” while telling Fox News the story was “ludicrous.”

"Attacks on policy positions are one thing, but this was designed to tear down character. Unfortunately, this instance represents just one symptom of the cancel culture on Capitol Hill," he said.

“I know what I saw,” Fuller said in an email, saying the letter doesn’t say whether there had been any prior investigation.A HuffPost spokesman told Fox News they stand by his reporting.

Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.

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I cover politics and a bit of everything else for Boise State Public Radio. Outside of public meetings, you can find me fly fishing, making cool things out of leather or watching the Seattle Mariners' latest rebuilding season.

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