[Video] Lawmaker Seen Opening Door for Demonstrators in Oregon Capitol

(Photo : Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

A security video from the Oregon Capitol showed that a lawmaker opened the doors to violent demonstrators protesting outside the building late last month.

Video obtained by Oregon Live under public records request showed that one lawmaker clearly opened two doors for the loud demonstrators outside the Oregon Capitol building.

The Hill identified that lawmaker as Rep. Mike Nearman, who exited the Oregon Capitol as a legislative session was ongoing. Two doors opened as he walked out, with one opened much further, allowing the protesters to step inside the premises.

In the video, protesters were seen entering the building until they went into a scuffle with State Police that tried to force them out.

According to Oregon Live, the state's Capitol was closed to the public due to the pandemic but was open to journalists reporting the proceedings inside the building. Meetings inside the Capitol were streamed live and archived online.

Read also: 4 People Die in Chaotic Capitol Riot, Including a Woman Fatally Shot by Police

A one-day coronavirus special session was going on at the time of the breach, where people were protesting the state's mitigation efforts and restrictions.

The people who breached the premises were identified by NBC affiliate KGW8 as far-right demonstrators.

Some Demonstrators in Oregon Capitol Breach Armed, Maskless

Demonstrators entered the building illegally, and some of them were carrying rifles at the time. Reports also claim that many of them were not wearing masks while protesting and entering the state's Capitol building.

State troopers managed to keep them at bay, preventing their entrance to the building's rotunda or areas reaching the House and Senate chambers. However, the demonstrators also reportedly managed to spray six troopers with pepper spray or another similar substance.

The video showed this spray being deployed. Journalists who were reporting at the time were also attacked during the siege.

At least one arrest was made after one person tried to enter the building by breaking a window in a door, but protesters mostly moved in without breaking anything, as the security video showed. Reports said that about 50 people broke into the building. 

House Speaker Exploring Sanctions for Breach in Oregon Capitol

House Speaker Tina Kotek confirmed Thursday that Nearman did allow the protesters into the building. She said that Nearman's actions on that day were "serious, serious breach of public trust" and "reckless and dangerous," reported KTVZ Channel 21.

For now, legislative leaders are looking for ways to sanction any lawmaker who aided the Dec. 21 rioters in forcing their way into the Oregon Capitol building.

Related story: Trump Calls on National Guard to Quell Riot in DC, Secure US Capitol

The incident is also under investigation by the Oregon State Police, Kotek assured. Safety protocols in Oregon's state Capitol building are being ramped up, following the December demonstration and the violent riot that happened after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

Nearman is a Republican from Independence. Several news outlets tried to reach out to him for comment on Thursday morning, but he has not responded. House Republicans have not yet issued a comment on the incident as of Thursday.