Global Courant
Video footage of a South Carolina children’s choir being stopped by a U.S. Capitol police officer from singing the national anthem at the U.S. Capitol has been viewed millions of times.
Capitol Police said singers from Greenville’s Rushingbrook Children’s Choir were stopped because of a “miscommunication,” which occurred May 26.
Capitol Police initially issued a statement saying they were under the impression that the group did not have permission to perform in the building, but later clarified that they were “not aware that the Speaker’s Office had approved this performance.”
Choir director David Rasbach and another choir director said the visit was approved by the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., which the speaker’s office confirmed.
In this image from a video, the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” in the Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol on May 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Farnoush Amiri)
“I was shocked, I was appalled, I was stunned,” Rasbach, who said he had received permission from three congressional offices to perform at the U.S. Capitol, told the Daily Signal. “I couldn’t believe that happened, that they were going to stop the national anthem, of all songs.”
Video from the event showed the children singing as a Capitol police officer spoke to two other men. One of the men, who appears to be a congressional staffer, then approached Rasbach. A few seconds later, Rasbach signaled to the choir and interrupted them to stop singing.
Capitol Police said singers from Greenville’s Rushingbrook Children’s Choir were stopped because of a “miscommunication,” which occurred May 26. (U.S. Capitol Police)
Police arrive at the U.S. Capitol by bus on January 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez/File)
Some Republicans accused the Capitol police of taking action against the children because of political bias, but police said this is not true and accused the congressional staffer of “lying multiple times to the officers about having permission from different offices” in an emailed statement to the Daily Signal.
“Someone recently posted a video of a children’s choir singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the U.S. Capitol Building, falsely claiming that we stopped the performance because it ‘might offend someone,'” the Capitol police said. “This is the truth. Demonstrations and musical performances are not allowed in the US Capitol.”
“Of course, because the singers in this situation were children, our officers were reasonable and let the children finish their beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner,” the statement added. “The congressman who accompanied the group knew the rules, but lied to the officers several times about permission from various offices. The staffer put both the choir and our officers, who were just doing their jobs, in an uncomfortable and embarrassing position. “
McCarthy and three Republican congressmen involved in inviting the group to the Capitol issued a joint statement saying they were “deeply disappointed” that the performance was cut short.
“We recently learned that South Carolina schoolchildren were disturbed while singing our national anthem at the Capitol. These children were welcomed by the Speaker’s Office to joyfully express their love for this country while visiting the Capitol, and we are all very disappointed to hear that their celebration was cut short,” said McCarthy and three House Republicans. “We are thrilled that the People’s House has reopened, especially for our children, and we look forward to welcoming more Americans back to the halls of Congress.”
Capitol Police did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jessica Chasmar is a digital writer on the Fox News and Fox Business political team. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
