Triumph the Insult Comic Dog’s Robert Smigel among those arrested by Capitol police

Late-night TV icon Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and creator Robert Smigel were among the Late Show with Stephen Colbert staffers arrested by U.S. Capitol police on June 16.

According to reports, Smigel and Late Show with Stephen Colbert producers were first escorted out of a January 6 committee hearing. The group did not have the proper credentials and were allegedly asked to leave the Capitol.

However, police discovered the group in the Longworth House Office Building later that night. The group was without an escort and stayed in the building after it was closed to the public.

Smigel’s name was among those listed as detained by Capitol police. CBS later released a statement (via Deadline) confirming that Triumph the Insult Comic Dog was on-site with a production team. The network suggested that nothing untoward occurred with Smigel and the Late Show team:

"Their interviews at the Capitol were authorized and pre-arranged through Congressional aides of the members interviewed.After leaving the members’ offices on their last interview of the day, the production team stayed to film stand-ups and other final comedy elements in the halls when they were detained by Capitol Police."

Reports also indicate that Triumph and the producers took pictures and videos of offices for Representative Kevin McCarthy and Representative Lauren Boebert.

It comes just days after the January 6 committee released footage of Representative Barry Loudermilk leading a tour group through the Capitol one day before the insurrection. Video showed Loudermilk’s guests taking pictures of hallways and security checkpoints along with other locations that typically don’t appeal to tourists. It’s not a stretch to imagine that Robert Smigel and The Late Show wanted to in some way parody the Capitol access given to the public.

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog has a history of mocking politicians

Late-night TV fans are no doubt familiar with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. For years, he was among the best bits on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Conan. Typically, Triumph pooped on celebrities or ordinary people on the street, like his legendary performance at a Star Wars premiere.

But in recent years, Smigel has brought Triumph more and more into the political arena. In 2017, Conan saw Triumph visit President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

With more focus on politics, the puppet has made more appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. And with Conan O’Brien stepping down from late-night TV, it makes sense that Triumph would continue to do more pieces for Stephen Colbert. In 2018, The Late Show gave Triumph the chance to catch up with Beto O’Rourke and Ted Cruz.

Based on the statement from CBS, Robert Smigel and the producers got all the material they needed for a piece about Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the Capitol. Expect an updated from Stephen Colbert when The Late Show returns on Monday, June 20.

Are you looking forward to seeing Triumph the Insult Comic Dog report from the Capitol? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.