Under normal circumstances, the evacuation of the U.S. Capitol would be no laughing matter. The world saw exactly why on Jan. 6, 2021. But I don’t think anyone could have guessed that a game between the Washington Nationals and lowly Arizona Diamondbacks would cause panic on the Hill.
There’s never a dull moment in Washington, apparently. (Except for all the dull moments).
On Wednesday evening, the Capitol Police tweeted that the U.S. Capitol had been evacuated out of an abundance of caution due to an aircraft entering D.C. airspace. That aircraft, though, was a U.S. Army plane that was part of the Nationals’ “Military Appreciation Night” ceremony at Nationals Park. Someone at the Department of Defensive evidently didn’t clear the ceremony with the folks at the Capitol.
The US Capitol Police now says there’s no threat to the Capitol.
This plane was part of the military appreciation night at Nationals Park but the Department of Defense did not inform Capitol officials this was happening, per my sources.
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) April 20, 2022
🚨NEW — Capitol evacuation — Single engine aircraft. Parachutists into Nats Park. Not coordinated appropriately, per two people directly familiar tell @CNN
— Mike Valerio (@ValerioCNN) April 20, 2022
Here’s a look at what caused all the hysteria over at the Capitol: a parachutist.
So cool! @Nationals & saw this! @USArmy #armygoldenknights #militaryappreciation pic.twitter.com/EJ9wmOIDDO
— Kim Grabina-Como (@KimGrabinaComo) April 20, 2022
Government at work!
Since the evacuation was a false alarm, fans came in with plenty of jokes. Others understandably — in the wake of Jan. 6 — weren’t pleased with the panic the evacuation caused.