There probably IS footage of the incident. I seriously doubt if the House Office Building doesn't have cameras recording the Security Checkpoints.
I can add some personal perspective to this discussion. I have been in this Building. I served as a 'Junior Clerk' for part of a summer back in High School. The security checkpoints were there then. The House has a 'standing protocol' that allows members of the House to bypass the security checkpoints. Each House member is given a lapell pin (round brass pin) that they wear. Capitol police are to acknowledge that pin and allow them to enter the building without being subjected to the metal detectors and x-ray equipment (like everybody else).
And being that this was her Office building, she comes and goes dozens of times in a given day, so all of the Capitol police should know who she is...
I think what happened was this: I think she walked in (how she usually does) and approaches the checkpoint. She proceeds to walk around it, how she normally does. I think the Capitol police officer doesn't see the lapell pin and doesn't recognize her (initially) because SHE HAS CHANGED HER HAIR STYLE... And because of this he says something to her. I don't think she hears him (or really pays him any attention) and keeps walking. The police officer then grabs her to prevent her from continuing (as he should, when doing his job). And in this instant moment, she simply reacts and hits him in the chest with her cellphone (she may even have been talking on it when he grabbed her).
I don't think this was racially motivated or any of the other claims she's making (although those claims may be true, but not in THIS instance). I simply think the police officer didn't see the pin and didn't recognize her face because of the new hairdo (which looks a hot mess by the way).......
This was a simple misunderstanding... When the Officer does recognize who she is, he should've apologized. I'm sure she would've too, after he explains that he didn't see the pin and didn't recognize her with her new hairdo.
But it's been blown WAY outta proportion.
Now a Grand Jury's been conviened........
