U.S. Capitol Police and other Agency's statements about yesterday's evacuation of the U.S. Capitol during the Nationals Game

It has been widely reported that the U.S. Capitol Police evacuated the congressional building complex last night after a miscommunication between the FAA, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Nationals. Last night, around 6:30 pm, an unidentified plane was spotted within seconds of the U.S. Capitol, the single-engine airplane was later determined to be a military flight by the Golden Knights Parachute Team for Military Appreciation night at Nationals Park.

The evacuated areas include the U.S. Capitol, Capitol Visitor Center, Hart, Dirksen, Russell, Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn, Library of Congress (Jefferson, Madison, and Adams), and the U.S. Botanic Garden (Administrative and Conservatory) buildings.

United States Army Recruiting Command Statement

We are aware of the issues that occurred during the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team’s demonstration at the Washington Nationals baseball game as part of Military Appreciation Night on April 20. We are reviewing all aspects of the event to ensure all procedures were followed appropriately to coordinate both the flight and the parachute demonstration.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Statement

The Federal Aviation Administration’s apparent failure to notify Capitol Police of the pre-planned flyover at Nationals Stadium is outrageous and inexcusable... The unnecessary panic caused by this apparent negligence was particularly harmful to members, staff, and institutional workers still grappling with the trauma of the attack on their workplace on January 6th.

USCP Statement

The United States Capitol Police must make split-second decisions that could make the difference between life and death. The decision to evacuate the campus is not one we take lightly.

The last time we had an evacuation due to a potential air threat was in June of 2014. Every week the USCP is made aware of hundreds of authorized flights in the restricted airspace. It is extremely unusual not to be made aware of a flight in advance.

Last night around 6:30 pm, an unidentified plane was spotted within seconds of the U.S. Capitol. As soon as it was determined that we were not given advanced notice of an approved flight, our officers followed USCP policies and procedures and immediately led everyone safely out of the Congressional buildings. Seconds matter.

The single-engine airplane was later determined to be a military flight by the Golden Knights Parachute Team for Military Appreciation night at Nationals Park.

US Army Statement

After an initial review of the pre-planning and coordination for the U.S. Army Golden Knights flight and parachute demonstration that took place during the Military Appreciation Night event at the Washington Nationals baseball game in Washington, D.C., on April 20, we have confirmed that the parachute team filed all appropriate and required Federal Aviation Administration documentation and received FAA approval prior to operating within the National Capital Region’s airspace. The team also confirmed the pilots established and maintained communication with the FAA prior to and throughout the operation.

FAA Statement (via Eric Flack from CBS USA 9 Washington D.C.)

The FAA takes its role in protecting the national airspace seriously and will conduct a thorough and expeditious review of the events. We know our actions affect others, especially in our nation's capital region, and we must communicate early and often with our law enforcement partners.