After it was announced that a Democratic Senate staffer who filmed a pornographic sex scene in a Capitol hearing room would not be charged, social media users were quick to slam the judicial system.
“Let me be clear: just walking on Capitol Hill without permission is a felony.” Mark Hemingway, Senior Writer, Real Clear Investments Posted in X. “But isn’t having sex in public in a building, filming it, and posting it online a crime of public indecency?”
“Please tell me why I have to respect the rule of law in this country.”
U.S. Capitol Police announced Thursday that they have rejected charges stemming from a “sex video filmed inside the Capitol.” hart senate office building Wednesday morning, December 13th.
Senate sex tape: The Capitol hearing room where leaked videos of some historic events were recorded
Hart Senate Building Room 216 is set up for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. (Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“After a comprehensive investigation and review of the potential charges, in consultation with federal and local prosecutors, it has been determined that there is no evidence at this time that the charges may violate Congressional policy.” it is a crime and committed a crime,” the department said in a statement to Fox News.
The agency also said, “The Congressional staffer, who has since resigned, exercised his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and refused to speak with us.” “Our investigators are willing to consider any new evidence that comes to light.”
staff of Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.; He was ultimately fired over the video.
“Jacob Chansley spent 310 days in solitude before taking a plea deal and then being sentenced to 41 months in prison for praying on the Senate floor,” Author Julie Kelly Posted in X.
“It’s officially legal to record sex in the U.S. Senate hearing room,” Judicial Oversight Chairman Tom Fitton said. Posted in X.
NSFW: Sex tape scandal featuring famous Senate hearing room rocks Capitol Hill
US Capitol Building in Washington DC (FOX News Photo/Joshua Commins)
“Oh, come on.” Federalist co-founder Sean Davis Posted in X.
“Beyond Parody” Steve Guest, Republican Public Relations Consultant Posted in X.
“Of course.” NewsBusters Editor-in-Chief Curtis Hock Posted in X. “Democrats can do almost anything with no consequences.”
Several legal experts, including George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, spoke out at the time of the incident and said the employees could face charges.
Turley discussed the potential charges in a blog post. “The question is whether this unofficial use constitutes trespass,” Turley said.
“It is not clear whether any commercial benefit was derived from the videos found on the various sites, but they also use the official areas for personal purposes,” Turley wrote.
Turley said one possible charge could fall under D.C. Code Section 22-1312, which discusses obscenity, lewdness and lewd conduct.
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U.S. Capitol Police guard the U.S. Capitol in response to calls for a “Day of Rage” on October 13, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
“It is unlawful for a person to indecently or indecently expose his genitals or anus, masturbate, or engage in any sexual act as defined in § 22-3001(8) in public. This section. Any person who violates the provisions of Section 2-3571.01 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding the amount set forth in Article 22.-3571.01, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.” The Criminal Code stipulates.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
