(The Center Square) – Brian McGinnis, Green Party candidate in North Carolina for U.S. Senate, was removed by force from a committee hearing of the chamber he hopes to join.
“No one wants to fight for Israel,” he exclaimed as police offers took him from the Committee on Armed Services. Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy was also involved.
McGinnis, unlikely to spoil the decision in a Senate race with a national spotlight, is charged with three counts of assaulting a police officer. He’s also facing a trio of charges for resisting arrest and unlawful demonstration.
Raleigh city officials confirmed he’s a senior firefighter and on administrative leave. McGinnis said he broke his left arm.
Congressional buildings are free from protests, according to Capitol Police. On the grounds, they are allowed in approved areas.
“This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one,” Sheehy said. “I hope he gets the help he needs without causing further violence.”
McGinnis is in the same race as Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley attempting to succeed Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
The hearing, “Speed to Scale: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base,” started about 10 a.m.
