Protester Uses Pepper Spray To Attack Heritage Foundation Security

Capitol Police arrested a man outside The Heritage Foundation after he allegedly sprayed two security personnel with pepper spray.

The incident occurred Wednesday morning outside the conservative policy organization, located on a busy thoroughfare just blocks from the U.S. Capitol. “Heritage believes in the First Amendment and respects American citizens’ right to disagree and to protest peacefully,” said Eric Korsvall, chief operating officer at The Heritage Foundation. “However, physical threats, attacks, and violence cross the line. Full stop.”

“The assault on two of our security guards this morning by a far-left agitator protesting at Heritage since Sunday is unacceptable and not tolerated. The safety of our staff, guests, and security team is non-negotiable,” Korsvall added.

Capitol Police identified the suspect as Nathaniel Craig Wetter Taylor of Champaign, Illinois, according to The Heritage Foundation. He was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer. Heritage security officers are special police officers in the District of Columbia.

Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The suspect is expected to appear before a judge Thursday morning. The office of Jeanine Pirro, interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., will make the decision on whether to prosecute. That office did not immediately respond to request for comment.

“Ironically, the very protesters spewing hate at Heritage are often the same ones proudly displaying the virtual signaling ‘Hate has no home here’ signs,” Korsvall said. “Fortunately, the only ‘home’ the assailant will see tonight is a jail cell as he awaits a hearing. We call on the U.S. Attorney to prosecute this assailant for his unlawful behavior.”