1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand a full investigation into Senator Tim Sheehy's actions during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, where he allegedly broke the hand of Brian McGinnis, a decorated Marine officer. This incident raises serious questions about the use of force by elected officials and requires immediate accountability. Video footage captured by CBS News shows Senator Sheehy intervening as Capitol Police attempted to remove McGinnis from the hearing room. A witness in the room shouted that a U.S. senator had just broken the hand of a Marine. According to a U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson, McGinnis and three Capitol Police officers sustained injuries during the incident. While McGinnis now faces six criminal counts for assaulting officers and resisting arrest, Senator Sheehy faces no charges despite his direct involvement in an altercation that resulted in serious injury. Capitol Police are trained professionals responsible for maintaining order and security. Senator Sheehy had no authority or training to physically intervene in this situation. His decision to insert himself into the confrontation escalated rather than deescalated the situation, as evidenced by the multiple injuries sustained. If McGinnis is being held criminally accountable for his actions, the same standard must apply to Senator Sheehy. I urge you to call for an immediate Ethics Committee investigation into Senator Sheehy's conduct. A member of Congress who uses physical force against a constituent, particularly a military veteran, has violated the public trust. The fact that McGinnis was protesting U.S. military action does not justify a senator physically assaulting him. Congress must hold its own members to the same legal and ethical standards applied to ordinary citizens. I request that you publicly support an investigation and advocate for appropriate consequences, including potential expulsion if the allegations are substantiated. Our democracy depends on elected officials respecting the rights of citizens to protest and allowing trained law enforcement to perform their duties without interference.