Did Capitol Police go too far shielding journalists from senators?

By Matt Collins Article may include affiliate links

Varying reports of Capitol Police trying to “block” reporters from Senators headed into the chamber to vote have begun to surface on Twitter.

An officer smashed right into NBC's Lee-Anne Caldwell who was walking with a senator. Another reporter, who is pregnant, says she was also shoved. Lots of yelling between reporters and cops here, who are clearly blocking reporters from getting near senators.

— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) February 14, 2019

Very odd security setup on Senate side of Capitol. Police setting up security line and guarding every senator within a half foot, trying to block press on an orltherwise normal size press crowd. pic.twitter.com/yor8TO3KGw

— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) February 14, 2019

This is simply not acceptable, and it is a violation of the norms that govern how reporters do their jobs at the Capitol.

The area where this happened is open to the press, who are doing a constitutional duty in holding elected representatives accountable. https://t.co/euitHZwZ6m

— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) February 14, 2019