Capitol Police Halt Youth Performance of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’: A Miscommunication Unveiled

A heartwarming video of a children’s choir singing the national anthem within the walls of the U.S. Capitol made waves on social media, capturing the attention of viewers. However, the performance was abruptly cut short by the Capitol Police, leading to widespread confusion and speculation.

According to the Capitol Police, the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir from Greenville, South Carolina, was halted on May 26 due to a miscommunication. As per the regulations, musical presentations in the revered halls of Congress require prior permission. The police explained that their officers were unaware of the choir’s approved performance authorized by the House speaker. Contrary to the claims made by the choir leaders, the Capitol Police denied that the interruption was motivated by concerns over potential offensiveness.

David Rasbach, the choir director, and Micah Rea, a choir leader involved in organizing the trip, stated in an interview with The Big Big News that they had obtained permission for the performance by working with the offices of Representatives William Timmons, Joe Wilson, and Russell Fry, all Republicans from South Carolina. They further added that they were informed of the visit’s approval by the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

The incident unfolded as the choir, after taking pictures at Representative Wilson’s office, embarked on a tour of the Capitol, which concluded in Statuary Hall—an iconic location known for housing a collection of statues contributed by each state. It was there that the choir commenced their rendition. A visitor guide, upon learning about the performance, sought clarification regarding their permission before granting them the go-ahead to proceed.

Video footage captured the children completing the first verse of the national anthem while receiving applause from onlookers. However, during the commencement of the subsequent verse, an officer engaged in conversation with Rea and another individual. Approximately a minute later, an individual identified as a staffer for Representative Wilson approached Rasbach and instructed him to cease the singing.

Rasbach recounted his encounter with the Capitol Police, stating, “When they stopped us and I approached the Capitol Police, I asked, ‘Why are you stopping us?’ They responded, ‘Because this is considered a demonstration, and we don’t allow demonstrations in the Capitol.'”

Although Rasbach claimed that a Capitol Police officer later mentioned concerns about potential offense, he was unable to provide the officer’s name or substantiate the assertion.

Initially, the Capitol Police issued a statement asserting that they were not under the impression that the group had permission to perform within the Capitol building. However, they later released a second statement acknowledging a “miscommunication” and clarifying that they were unaware of the Speaker’s Office approving the performance.

As outlined in the Capitol Police’s policy posted on their website, musical performances fall under the activities requiring a special permit, along with demonstrations like marches, rallies, vigils, commercial filming or photography, and foot races.

The second statement from the Capitol Police apologized to the choir for the miscommunication that impacted their rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner and their visit to Capitol Hill. It read, “Although popup demonstrations and musical performances are not allowed in the U.S. Capitol without the proper approval, due to a miscommunication, the U.S. Capitol Police were not aware that the Speaker’s Office had approved this performance.”

Addressing the claim that the show was halted to avoid offense, the initial statement from the Capitol Police clarified, “Recently somebody posted a video of a children’s choir singing the Star-Spangled Banner in the U.S. Capitol Building and wrongfully claimed we stopped the performance because it ‘might offend someone.’ Here is the truth. Demonstrations and musical performances are not allowed in the U.S. Capitol. Of course, because the singers in this situation were children, our officers were reasonable and allowed the children to finish their beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.”

In a joint statement issued to the AP, Speaker McCarthy and the three South Carolina representatives involved with the choir confirmed that the Speaker’s Office had indeed extended an invitation to the choir to perform at the Capitol. They expressed their disappointment, stating, “We recently learned that schoolchildren from South Carolina were interrupted while singing our National Anthem at the Capitol. These children were welcomed by the Speaker’s office to joyfully express their love of this Nation while visiting the Capitol, and we are all very disappointed to learn their celebration was cut short.”

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