Capitol Police: Fulcher not under investigation

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The United States Capitol Police is not investigating an alleged Jan. 12 incident involving Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher.

A political reporter depicted in a Jan. 12 tweet that he witnessed Fulcher, representing Idaho’s 1st District, physically pushing a security guard out of his way the day Capitol Police installed metal detectors in the entrances. That was done in response to the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol that killed at least two people, including a police officer.

The reporter — Matt Fuller of the Huffington Post — tweeted on Feb. 17 that he was called in by Capitol Police for an interview to discuss the alleged incident.

But in a letter dated Thursday and disseminated by Fulcher’s office, Capitol Police chief of staff Salley Wood stated there is no investigation on the books.

“I am writing to confirm that, to the Department’s knowledge, there is no current investigation into an alleged or rumored incident occurring on or around the House Floor on January 12, 2021 involving Congressman Fulcher,” the letter reads. “We believe this concludes this matter but please let me know if you have any questions.”

The Coeur d’Alene Press reached out Friday to Wood and confirmed that she did author the letter.

Additional inquiries have been sent to Capitol Police’s public information officer about whether an investigation had ever taken place. As of press time late Friday, Capitol Police had not responded to requests for comment.

In a statement, Fulcher said the matter has been an ugly representation of a culture war on public servants, something he says is in dire need of change.

“This situation has been demoralizing to me and distracting to the people I represent,” Fulcher said. “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. This culture is to create and celebrate as many partisan controversies as possible. The statue of Freedom behind razor wire — to imply ongoing, critical threats from citizens. Metal detectors on the House floor — to imply member-to-member threats, and members portrayed guilty of fabricated controversies with no due process. We have got to find a way to flush the divisiveness if we are to provide the American people the representation they deserve.”

Alexah Rogge, Fulcher’s communications director, said the lone bright side of the incident has highlighted what she described as journalists who weren’t baited into reporting on the matter.

“On a positive note, this situation has been extremely eye-opening to the reporters taking their journalistic duties seriously,” Rogge said. “Rather than letting their judgment be clouded by thirst for the next divisive controversy, we had several national and local reporters reach out to let us know they wouldn’t be reporting on a story with such weak credibility, and others who gave the Congressman the benefit of the doubt, rather than suggesting the worst.”

Both Fuller and the Huffington Post released statements standing by his reporting.