Capitol police arrest Rubio hearing disruptor, as Republican senator says ‘off to jail’

Marco Rubio

Capitol police arrest Rubio hearing disruptor, as Republican senator says ‘off to jail’

Individual held sign reading 'Hands Off Venezuela' before being escorted from Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing

Greg Norman-Diamond Fox News

Published

January 28, 2026 2:25pm EST

Video

US Capitol Police arrest Rubio Senate hearing disruptor

A person is escorted away as Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a hearing about U.S. policy towards Venezuela.

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The U.S. Capitol Police told Fox News Digital that one person was arrested for disrupting Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill.

The individual was escorted away from the hearing room at the Dirksen Senate Office Building as Rubio was set to deliver his opening statement about U.S. policy towards Venezuela.

"All right, here we go... you know the drill, off to jail," Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, was heard saying after a man in the audience got up and started yelling about a "war crime" while holding a sign that read "Hands Off Venezuela."

"That's a one-year ban from the committee. Anyone who is a persistent violator will be banned for three years. So I don't know whether the guy falls in that category, looks like it," added Risch, who is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I hope after three years he’ll find a more productive means of employment."

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio interrupted by demonstrator during Senate hearing

A protester holds a placard as Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing titled "U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela", on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

"Secretary Rubio, we have two hearings a week. You know, you seem to have a more robust following than most of our witnesses that come before us," Risch also said.

"There'll be a couple more, thank you for stopping the clock, but I appreciate it," Rubio responded.

The U.S. Capitol Police said the individual was arrested for Demonstrating in a Committee.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies in DC

Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain President Donald Trump's policy toward Venezuela following the U.S. military raid that ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro, at the Capitol in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

"It is against the law to protest inside the Congressional Buildings," the U.S. Capitol Police told Fox News Digital.

Prior to the outburst, Risch thanked the audience for their attendance, but also warned: "This is a public hearing. It is also the official business of the United States of America. And as a result of that, the committee has a zero-tolerance policy for interruptions or for attempts by anyone in the room to communicate with somebody up here or the witness."

Demonstrator holds up sign as Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies about Venezuela operations

A protester interrupts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opening statement as he testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 28. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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"So as a result of that, if you do disrupt, you will be arrested. You'll be banned for a year," he continued. "However, I'm told that we have some guests today who have completed their ban and are back with us again today. We hope you've had the time to think about your indiscretions and will behave yourself today. I you don't, as a persistent violator, you'll be banned for three years this time."

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Capitol police arrest Rubio hearing disruptor, as Republican senator says ‘off to jail’