GOP Rep. Troy Nehls, of Texas, sparked an avalanche of mockery after firing off a frantic Twitter thread this morning claiming that Capitol Hill police want to destroy him, accusing officers of illegally infiltrating his office and taking pictures of what he described as “confidential legislative products.”
In his manic rant, Nehls claimed that on Nov. 22, 2021, “special agents dressed like construction workers” questioned one of his staff members about photographs that they had supposedly taken two days before.
Nehls’s bizarre claims come as he and other Republicans seek to shift blame for the Jan. 6 insurrection away from Trump and the rioters and onto what they describe as inept Capitol Police leadership.
Hours after Nehls made his accusation, Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger issued a statement, explaining that the door to the congressman’s office was “left open and unsecured” and officers on the force are “directed to document that and secure the office to ensure nobody can wander in and steal or do anything else nefarious.”
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“The weekend before Thanksgiving, one of our vigilant officers spotted the Congressman’s door was wide open,” the statement reads. “That Monday, USCP personnel personally followed up with the Congressman’s staff and determined no investigation or further action of any kind was needed.”
A copy of a Capitol Police report posted by a Twitter user describes elements of the encounter that doesn’t line up with Nehls’ account at all.
Other users followed up mocking the Texas Republican for his bizarre attention-grabbing maneuver. Check Nehls’s Twitter thread and some of the reactions below.
🚨BREAKING🚨
The @CapitolPolice Intelligence Division investigated my office illegally and one of my staffers caught them in the act.
Thread🧵
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 8, 2022
On November 20th, 2021, Capitol Police entered my office without my knowledge and photographed confidential legislative products protected by the Speech and Debate clause enshrined in the Constitution, Article 1 Section 6.
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 8, 2022
Upon discovering a member of my staff, special agents dressed like construction workers began to question him as to the contents of a photograph taken illegally two days earlier.
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 8, 2022
They had no authority to photograph my office, let alone investigate myself or members of my staff.
So, why is the Capitol Police Leadership maliciously investigating me in an attempt to destroy me and my character?
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 8, 2022
Naturally, Twitter users had a lot to say about his public freak out:
They didn't? Since when do you get to be a part of an insurrection and not get investigated? You have something to hide?
— Nik (@NikMarDim1) February 8, 2022
Would you clarify your use of the words 'maliciously investigating'?
I am unable to grasp what that means … it makes you sound guilty of wrongdoing.
Perhaps they're just regular investigating?
— Be Fair Be Just Be Vegan Ⓥ (@iizWide0pen) February 8, 2022
A bit funny it took you months to alert anyone – I guess we can expect a bombshell about some of your shenanigans soon enough. Capitol police – investigating something at the Capitol – sounds like their jurisdiction to me.
— ᒪᗩᑎᑕᗴ 🏳️🌈 (@LanceUSA70) February 8, 2022
“They have no authority to investigate me.”
These people are trying to convince you they are above the law… because they’re scared.
— For the Future (@forthefurture) February 8, 2022
Perhaps you need investigated. pic.twitter.com/qUaOOTm1av
— 🌻 Pippin Rides Again 🌿 (@PippinResists) February 8, 2022
The truth is coming out and you should be afraid. Between the J6 Committee and the Capitol Police and possibly the DOJ, there will be a lot of indictments. pic.twitter.com/gy83gheRmT
— Esmerelda (@TwoTeensOneDog) February 9, 2022
Police can investigate criminals – it is their JOB. Don’t commit criminal acts if being investigated bothers you so much. Public: Don’t let the tail wag the dog, y’all.
— REO Steinwagon (@ShezuBrickHouse) February 9, 2022
you left your door open. They are required to document that before closing and locking the door in case somebody wandered in and took anything from your office.
Don't leave your door open when you leave.
— Lulz4l1f3 (@Lulz4l1f3) February 9, 2022
In all honesty, the way the republicans have been behaving towards Jan 6th, I would investigate your office as well. pic.twitter.com/dgup7BmrwR
— WiseGuyTx (@smittyfomdabloc) February 9, 2022
Destroy your character?? I'm sure you managed that all by yourself
— 🤦♀️🙄 (@KCTaterTot) February 9, 2022
Liar pic.twitter.com/Tp03gsLL7K
— Rob Wagner 😷😷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@wagner_rob) February 8, 2022
