capitol building trip

How Do I Tour the U.S. Capitol and See Congress in Session?

Learn all you need to know about visiting and touring america’s center of democracy..

UPDATE: The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All tours are free and are led by professional tour guides and do not include the Senate and House Galleries. The tour route is subject to change. Note that advance reservations are required for a tour. Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. Please leave time to go through security and review the U.S. Capitol’s prohibited items list before your visit.

The U.S. Capitol Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and the center of American democracy. The world-famous domed building is home to the United States House of Representatives and Senate; where America’s congressmen and congresswomen conduct business, debate laws and pass bills on behalf of the American people. The U.S. Capitol and U.S. Capitol Visitor Center  is also one of DC’s most popular monuments and museums and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Tour groups in United States Capitol Building Rotunda - Attractions and landmarks in Washington, DC

How do I arrange a tour of the United States Capitol Building?

Plan your visit in advance! A public tour of the U.S. Capitol is free and open to anyone who makes an advanced reservation, although there are some same-day tickets available by standing in line at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center (note that lines will be long during spring and summer).  We recommend reserving a  reserving a tour date and time .

All tours begin and end at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day).  Tours typically take about 90 minutes and are  fully accessible for people with disabilities.

What will I see on a Capitol tour?

Guided tours begin with a 13-minute intro film, followed stops in the Capitol Rotunda, where guides point out the center point of the District of Columbia, as well as demonstrate the unique acoustical effect where a speaker several yards away can be heard more clearly than a speaker close to the listener. The Capitol Dome is encircled by murals, and the fresco on the eye of the ceiling is called The Apotheosis of Washington showing President Washington rising to the heavens in glory with Liberty and Victory/Fame beside him. Below, on the walls of the Rotunda, are large paintings depicting significant events in American history: The Signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Baptism of Pocohontas, The Embarkation of the Pilgrims, The Landing of Columbus and General George Washington Resigning His Commission. Other stops on the 45-minute walking tour include the Crypt, National Statuary Hall and connecting corridors of the U.S. Capitol, where you’ll see statues representing every state.

Can I see Congress in session?

The guided tour doesn't include the Senate and House galleries. However, visitors can obtain free passes through their congressmen to view both chambers when Congress is in session. International visitors can ask about gallery passes at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center. When Congress is not in session, the galleries are open to the public Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. However, viewing hours are subject to change and are not always the same for the House and Senate galleries. You can check the schedules with your Congressional office when requesting gallery passes. Read more information about  watching Congress in session  and viewing the House and Senate galleries.

@paddyleahy

What’s in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?

You’ll find a cafeteria and gift shop in the Capitol Visitor Center. The gift shop carries merchandise inspired by the art and architecture of the U.S. Capitol. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for continental breakfast and lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you haven’t printed your tour reservation, bring along the number you were assigned. There are free listening devices in multiple languages for international visitors.

How do I get to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?

Because there is very little parking, it is best to travel via the  Metro or the DC Circulator. There are three Metro stops within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol: Union Station (Red Line), Capitol South and Federal Center SW (Orange, Silver and Blue lines). The Capitol Visitor Center, which serves as the main public entrance, is located beneath the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol at First and East Capitol streets.

Looking for more in the neighborhood? Take advantage of  our guide to Capitol Hill .

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The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC: Tours & Visiting Tips

Explore the meeting chambers for the Senate & the House of Representatives

 TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

United States Capitol

The U.S. Capitol Building, the meeting chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives, is one of the most recognizable historic buildings in Washington, D.C. Located at the opposite end of the National Mall from the Washington Monument, it is a prominent landmark and an impressive example of 19th-century neoclassical architecture. A complete restoration of the Capitol Dome was finished in 2016, fixing more than 1,000 cracks and giving the structure a beautiful polished appearance.

With 540 rooms divided among five levels, the U.S. Capitol is a massive structure. The ground floor is allocated to congressional offices. The second floor holds the chambers of the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing. Under the dome in the center of the Capitol Building is the Rotunda, a circular space that serves as a gallery of paintings and sculptures of American historical figures and events. The third floor is where visitors can watch the proceedings of Congress when in session. Additional offices and machinery rooms occupy the fourth floor and the basement.

Visiting the U.S. Capitol

Capitol Visitor Center: The facility opened in December 2008 and greatly enhances the experience of visiting the U.S. Capitol. While waiting for tours, visitors can browse galleries displaying artifacts from the Library of Congress and National Archives, touch a 10-foot model of the Capitol Dome and even watch live video feeds from the House and Senate. Tours begin with a 13-minute film exploring the history of the Capitol and Congress, shown in the facility's orientation theaters. The center is currently closed with tentative plans to reopen to a limited number of guests on May 30, 2022.

Guided Tours: Tours of the historic U.S. Capitol building are free, but require tickets which are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The hours are 8:45 a.m - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday. Visitors can book tours in advance at www.visitthecapitol.gov . After more than two years, tours resumed in a limited capacity on March 28, 2022. Groups are limited to 15 people and tours must be reserved online in advance. Tours run Monday through Friday and visitors will be following pre-approved routes.

Watching Congress in Session: Visitors can see Congress in action at the Senate and House Galleries (when in session) Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Passes are required and may be obtained from the offices of Senators or Representatives. International visitors can receive Gallery passes at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center. This offering is currently unavailable with no announced date to resume.

Capitol Complex and Grounds

In addition to the Capitol Building, six Congressional office buildings and three Library of Congress buildings make up Capitol Hill . The U.S. Capitol grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (also known for designing Central Park and the National Zoo), and include more than 100 varieties of trees and bushes and thousands of flowers that are used in seasonal displays. The U. S. Botanic Garden , the oldest botanic garden in the country, is a part of the Capitol complex and is a great place to visit year-round.

Annual Events on the West Lawn

During the summer months, popular concerts are held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Thousands attend the Memorial Day Concert, A Capitol Fourth and the Labor Day Concert. During the holiday season, members of Congress invite the public to attend the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree.

The main entrance is located on the East Plaza between Constitution and Independence Avenues. (across from the Supreme Court). See a map of the Capitol.

The closest Metro stations are Union Station and Capitol South. See a map and directions to the National Mall

Key Facts About the U.S. Capitol

• Construction of the U.S. Capitol began in 1793. The original building, completed in 1826, was made of brick clad in sandstone. The north and south wings and connecting corridors added in the mid 19th century and the replica of the East Front constructed in the 20th century, are made of brick clad in marble. The dome is made of cast iron. 
• The Capitol is 88 feet above sea level (the top of the Washington Monument is 209 feet higher than the top of the Capitol Building).
• There are 100 statues in the Statuary Hall Collection , two from each state.
• The largest statue in the Statuary Hall Collection is the statue of King Kamehameha I, donated by the state of Hawaii. It is 9'-10" tall and stands on a 3'-6" granite base.
• The Rotunda is a circular room in the center of the building beneath the Capitol dome. It is the tallest part of the building, 96 feet in diameter and rises 180 feet from the floor to the canopy.
• Atop the U.S. Capitol dome is the Statue of Freedom , a classical female figure with long, flowing hair wearing a helmet with a crest composed of an eagle’s head and feathers. She stands on a pedestal on a globe encircled with the motto E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one).
• Official Website: www.aoc.gov

Attractions Near the U.S. Capitol Building

• U. S. Botanic Garden
• The Supreme Court
• The Library of Congress
• Union Station
• Eastern Market
• Folger Shakespeare Library & Theatre

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Visiting the Arkansas State Capitol Building

A 57-day road trip to presidential sites, state capitol buildings, and quirky attractions

My trip’s purpose was to visit all 26 states east of the Mississippi River. With that in mind, I identified categories of places to see. Destinations became state capitals, presidential sites, national parks, and quirky locations, among many others. Presidential sites included presidential museums, libraries, birthplaces, homes, or anything personally connected to a U.S. president. 

Of course, the main highlight rose from a quest to visit every state east of the Mississippi. I’ve now been to 48 of the 50 states for the second time since January 2014. And in April 2022, I’m revisiting Oregon. Following that, I only have Hawaii remaining on my “visit again” list—I was there many years ago but only for a couple of hours while in the Navy. So far, I’ve spent at least one night in the remaining 49 of the 50 states. 

On this trip, I saw so much of the country east of the Mississippi and realized I could have spent months traveling. While that wasn’t possible, I enjoyed my trip and accepted that I could be seeing so much more. Road trips come down to whether you want to see a lot of different places or if you want to go in-depth in particular locations. Here are some highlights from my 57-day road trip.

Presidential sites

I visited a total of 23 presidential sites on the trip, including libraries. On past trips, I saw four others: Lincoln, Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan. The most recent, the Obama Center, started construction in August of 2021 with no currently scheduled completion date.

For every president since Hoover, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) administers the library function of the centers. Separate funds (usually non-profits) are used to build and maintain the sites to meet NARA standards.  

Before, presidential centers ran from non-existent to elaborate presentations of their homes. For example, in modern-day Louisville, Kentucky, Zachary Taylor’s home remains private—it’s the only remaining building related to the 12th U.S. president. 

State capitols

Other state capitol buildings in the U.S. range from traditional domed buildings to more ornate to unassuming buildings. Overall, I visited 22 state capitol buildings on this trip but I couldn’t enter some of them due to COVID-19 restrictions or weekend closures. 

National parks

National parks often play a prominent role for many travelers. During my travels, I visited Indiana Dunes National Park on Lake Michigan, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Congaree National Park in South Carolina, and Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.

Quirky attractions

Quirky locations attract my attention wherever I go. I love to visit anything that’s deemed “the largest”  in the world.

Overall I visited nearly 30 quirky locations, including the World’s Biggest Basket , the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock , the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet , Bamahenge , and the Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek fame. Casey, Illinois, hosts 12 Guinness World Records. The World’s Largest Wind Chime , constructed in 2011, became the first, followed closely by the World’s Largest Rocking Chair . Incidentally, the rocking chair replaces a then-world record rocking chair in Fanning, Missouri, located on Route 66.

Other highlights

As a baby boomer, visiting Woodstock was high on my must-see list. This 1969 event quickly became a defining moment in the counterculture movement of the era.

This part of my trip presented the opportunity to visit New York City where I saw the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island , Central Park , and anything else I could cram into 2 full days. 

Overall, the trip became another exclamation point on my life, as road trips always do.

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Advocating for TRiO on Capitol Hill: Carleton Students in Washington, D.C.

Over spring break, four TRiO students, Nyemade Fallah , ’24 , Shamya Franklin , ’26 , Monica Law , ’27 , Graci Huff , ’25 , and TRiO staff visited the nation’s capital to advocate for TRiO on Capitol Hill by sharing their personal stories with Congress and how the program has supported them. The purpose of the trip was to expose students to U.S. history and culture and learn about federal advocacy. The students and staff attended the Council for Opportunity in Education’s (COE) Policy Seminar and Legislative Conference, during which the TRiO community educates members of Congress, congressional staff, and others about the history and the success of federal college access and success programs. After a day of intense preparation, students represented the interests of low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities through direct engagement with legislators in the policy arena.  

During the trip, the students and staff also visited several museums and monuments, such as the African American History & Culture Museum, the National Archive Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian. Read on to learn about the students’ favorite aspects of and key takeaways from the trip.

Nyemade Fallah  ‘24

I remember growing up I would see pictures and images on TV of kids doing tours of the monuments in Washington D.C. and I always thought to myself that I wanted to do that one day but I didn’t think that would be possible because my mom couldn’t afford it. As a kid, we rarely took trips, and I learned to just accept that maybe that won’t happen. This trip gave me the opportunity to live out that dream that I had of being in Washington D.C. and engaging with the history here. Not only did we tour the monuments but I got to learn about the history in the context of the monuments and connect them to what I’ve learned in history which was really cool to do. 

On our second day here, we toured the African American History & Culture Museum. When it comes to African American history, there is always new information that finds a way to the light, and that’s how I felt in that museum. I feel like my educational experiences have tried to be informative when it came to African American history, especially because I attended a charter school that was dedicated to educating African Americans and putting them on track to pursue higher education. However, being in this museum, I realized that my knowledge still felt incomplete, and this museum helped to fill in many gaps. I think the museum was structured greatly to retell the history of African American people in a way that honored their voices and called out their oppressors. It also highlighted the other groups, such as the Native Americans and Mexicans, that played a role in supporting the movement. I think everyone should check out this museum and expand their understanding of this major part of American history. 

I had many highlights in this trip but advocating for TRiO on Capitol Hill was definitely my favorite. It was exciting being around people in business professional attire and walking around like they all had a purpose. We were among those people, and I felt important like I was there to accomplish a mission. My main role during our advocacy was to tell my story. I was not sure how I would do this or if it would be impactful, but every meeting room we went into where I shared my story I felt like I was heard and it served a bigger purpose. I was representing other students that have been impacted by TRiO. This experience exposed me to how we the people have a voice in the decisions made in Congress and there are steps we can take to have our voices heard.

Shamya Franklin ‘26

Washington D.C. had so much to offer regarding history and law. My highlight of this trip was the opportunity to see the many museums that D.C. had to offer. The National African American History Museum, National Archive Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian were my favorite informational aspects of the trip. The museums were filled with important historical information and offered a nuanced explanation of culture and its relation to American history. I also enjoyed the night monuments tour around D.C. It was nice to see referenced historic buildings, memorials, and statues in real-time. Our tour guide did a fantastic job at “interpreting” and presenting information humorously and engagingly. I learned more about the history of the men and their memorials.

The most memorable and enjoyable experiences were the tour of the capital and advocating for TRiO on Capitol Hill. Touring the capitol was fun because we had the opportunity to see the house floor. We got to go inside and sit down in the seats! That was a fantastic experience and my favorite part of touring the capital. 

Advocating for TRiO was surreal, and while it was a little nerve-wracking initially, it turned out to be a wonderful experience. It was cool to see the offices of the representatives and be able to talk about my TRiO story and how the program has helped me. Advocating for what you feel is important is always a rewarding experience, but advocating for TRiO was not only rewarding but also important and necessary. Overall, Washington, D.C., has much to offer, and I am thankful for the opportunity. The food gets an honorable mention! 

Monica Law ‘27

If you had told me when I lived in Mexico that I would be lobbying at Capitol Hill one day, I would not have responded to you because I did not speak English. This opportunity that TRiO has provided for me is one of a kind, and I learned many skills that will be useful in my career one day. 

As a low-income first-generation student, it is sometimes hard to picture your success. Not having an example to follow and guide you is rough. TRiO has been the place I use for guidance. Seeing all of the behind-the-scenes of what goes through getting funding for TRiO and how many people care about the success of their students was wonderful. We attended a conference where we learned how to tell our story—this moment impacted me because it helped me use my story as a powerful source for change. After all, I had the opportunity to run around Capitol Hill and tell our representatives and senators why #TRIOWorks !!! I now know what lobbying looks like and how to use it to advocate for what I care about. 

Apart from lobbying, we visited two powerful museums: The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian. It was wonderful to see these stories being told by the people they represent. I was moved by these museums and the power they hold about the history of America. On a lighter note, we saw some cool monuments on our night tour. I had seen them on TV before, and they really amazed me at how big they are in real life!

Overall, this trip helped me experience life differently. I enjoyed every single moment of it. Thanks to TRiO, I had the opportunity to go to places that I had never seen before. I got the opportunity to believe I could go places I had never been before. I learned my story matters and I can use it for positive change. 

Graci Huff ‘25

Over spring break, I had the incredible opportunity to go to Washington DC with TRiO. The trip was the perfect combination of work and play, with our first three days focused on exploring the city and experiencing its history, and the last two days focused on TRiO advocacy. 

On our first night, we got a beautiful tour of the city’s many monuments. On our open-roof bus tour, we got to see and learn the histories of everything the city boasts: the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, etc. 

After already being awestruck about being in DC, this tour dumbfounded me. These monuments have appeared in every US history textbook I’ve read, so to experience them in person felt unreal. The next day, we spent all our time at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History. This museum was beautifully done and incredibly impactful. It’s a must-visit in DC and definitely worth taking the whole day. The next day has to be my favorite of the trip. We started our day at the National Archives, seeing the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence. As a political science student, I found this so so cool. Next, we went over to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. This museum was done so well, centering Indigenous artists, deconstructing stereotypes, and highlighting treaty rights of Indigenous tribes. I was very impressed. 

After the museum, we headed over to the Capitol building where we got a private tour. This was my favorite part of the trip. The Capitol building was so intricate and stunning, and our tour guide gave us so much historical knowledge. The most special highlight was our time on the House floor. Our tour guide specially arranged for us to get to go here, and the specialness was felt. This was such a rare opportunity, and I ate it up. Quoting Hamilton, we were in “the room where it happens.” Literally. I got to sit in the same chairs as the legislators, touch the voting buttons, sit just seats away from where the President sits during the State of the Union. In this room, I felt like I was living and breathing history. And that’s pretty darn cool. 

The following day was spent at the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) legislative conference, preparing for the heart of our trip: lobbying for TRiO to our legislators. On lobbying day, I woke up ready to repeat my TRiO spiel. I undid my braids, put my feathers in my hair, pulled on my ribbon skirt, and was ready to go. Throughout the day, I attended four meetings with different legislative staff. It went really well! I felt confident talking to them and sharing my story, and I felt it was well-received by the offices. I felt very proud getting to advocate for TRiO, since it’s always treated me so well. This day made me feel powerful and impactful, and I loved being so involved in the governmental process. The day concluded with a recap rally of all of COE, where we celebrated each other’s accomplishments. It was fun and uplifting to be surrounded by so many TRiO people. This was the perfect way to conclude our trip. 

Overall, I’m so thankful  I was able to go on this trip, experience D.C. in all its glory, bond with my TRiO team, and speak on how TRiO has impacted my life. 

‘Deep sense of shame and remorse.’ Former Missouri man sentenced in Capitol riot case

A former Missouri man who blamed his ex-boss and former President Donald Trump for his role in the Capitol riot has been sentenced to 12 months of probation and 10 days of intermittent confinement.

Eric Glen Harrower, 35, who was accused of helping protesters scale a banister leading to the doors they breached, also must serve 50 hours of community service and pay $500 restitution for the more than $2.9 million in damage to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The sentencing was conducted via Zoom on Tuesday by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

“Finding himself in a situation that is completely at odds with who he is as a person, Mr. Harrower feels a deep sense of shame and remorse,” Harrower’s public defender wrote in a sentencing document filed in federal court on Saturday.

“He is overwhelmingly disappointed for letting down not just himself, but also those who depend on him.”

Harrower lived in Jefferson County near St. Louis in 2021 but has since moved to Colorado. He is the 23rd Capitol riot defendant charged in Missouri to be sentenced . Eight other Missouri defendants have been convicted and await sentencing, and the cases of another five are pending.

Harrower was charged July 6, 2023, with four misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. The government dismissed the other charges in exchange for his guilty plea on the parading count.

He faced a maximum six months’ incarceration, a $5,000 fine and five years’ probation. The government had recommended 36 months’ probation with a condition of 14 days of intermittent confinement, 60 hours of community service and $500 restitution.

In his sentencing document, Harrower laid the blame for his actions on his former boss and Trump.

”After the presidential election, former President Trump, members of his inner circle and some members of the media began circulating the word that the election was ‘stolen,’” the document said. “The false claims spread on media — from local news outlets, to Facebook, to some national broadcasts — that the election had been corrupted.

“...Like many others, he (Harrower) had received false information about the 2020 election — information that he now fully recognizes was untrue.”

Boss invited him to go, paid for trip

Harrower went to Washington, D.C., his filing said, to support Trump. His boss, Joshua Dressel, invited him to go, Harrower said, and paid for the trip. Harrower said he feared he would lose his job with Dressel’s tree service company if he declined the invitation.

According to Harrower’s filing, Trump told those at his “Stop the Steal” rally “that the election results were incorrect, that this created a national security threat, and that his supporters should go to the Capitol to urge Senators and Vice President Mike Pence to take what he described as lawful steps provided for under the Constitution to correct the election results.”

It said Harrower then walked with the crowd from the rally to the Capitol, entered the building and stayed inside for a little more than 20 minutes.

“While in the building, he did not engage in any violence, he did not taunt or insult police, he did not damage property, he did not encourage others to engage in violence, and he did not celebrate violence,” the document said.

Harrower has no criminal record, his filing said, adding that his actions on Jan. 6 “are an aberration in his life and character.”

“He regrets his decision to go to Washington, D.C., to attend the Trump rally,” it said, “and, most importantly, to enter the U.S. Capitol building.”

The government, however, said Harrower downplayed his involvement and had a key role in helping rioters breach the Capitol.

As Harrower and Dressel headed to the Capitol from Trump’s rally, the government said in its sentencing memorandum, they could hear flashbangs and see what looked like tear gas.

“There was a lot of chaos in front of the Capitol,” the document said. But even so, Harrower and Dressel kept going.

“At the Capitol grounds, rioters toppled barricades that consisted of metal bike racks, physically linked end to end,” the filing said. Upon arriving at the Capitol, it said, Harrower went to the northwest stairs, climbed to the top of a 10-foot bannister and held an overturned bike rack to allow other rioters to use it as a ladder to climb up, where they gained access to the staircase.

Officers stationed on the staircase tried to keep rioters away, the government said.

“However, at about 2:09 p.m., when the mob on the steps reached critical mass, it was able to overwhelm the officers higher up on the steps,” the filing said. “Accordingly, Harrower fueled the manpower of the mob, of which he was a willing participant, and enabled the mayhem it caused.”

Among first group of rioters to breach Capitol

Harrower and others then made their way up to the West Plaza and toward the Senate Wing doors, the document said. Surveillance video showed that he entered through the doors at about 2:14 p.m. — among the first group of rioters to enter the Capitol Building.

“He came into the Capitol Crypt through the north corridor, remaining in the Crypt area from at least approximately 2:25 through approximately 2:34 p.m.,” the government’s filing said. “In the Crypt, the mob was raucous and loud. During this time, Harrower would have been able to witness a member of the mob throw a fire extinguisher at police officers.”

Harrower exited through a broken window near the Senate Wing doors at about 2:36 p.m., the government said.

Dressel was charged in July 2021 with entering the Capitol in the early minutes of the breach and pleaded guilty in August 2022 to parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building. He was sentenced in March to 14 days in jail, a $500 fine and $500 restitution.

Harrower volunteered to talk to the FBI after Dressel was charged, the government’s sentencing document said. He spoke with the FBI again after he was charged, admitting “that he went to the Capitol to join others who believed the election results were not valid, and he wanted to have his voice heard.”

The government said, however, that Harrower told the FBI he had used the bike rack as a ladder “because he was concerned for the safety of the rioters climbing the wall.”

“This statement minimizes his conduct and shows a lack of remorse,” the government said.

But Harrower’s minimization did not end there, it said.

“He claimed to help calm people down and pick up trash, but the reviewed footage shows no evidence of his doing so,” the filing said. “Instead, video shows Harrower embraced Dressel twice as chaos and violence, the very chaos and violence which Harrower fueled as a member of the mob, swirled around them.”

Harrower’s sentencing memorandum said after he left the Capitol on Jan. 6, he learned more about the actions of others and the extent of the damage and violence.

“He was immediately shocked and ashamed of the fact that he was a part of the event on January 6,” it said. “Mr. Harrower then took several actions that demonstrate his remorse, rehabilitation, and personal integrity.”

Harrower “voluntarily made himself known to the FBI as one of the individuals involved in the events of January 6, 2021,” his filing said. He also cut all ties with Dressel, got a new job and moved his family to Colorado.

In the three-plus years since the riot, it said, Harrower “has not been rearrested; he has welcomed a new child; he has held down a stable job; he has moved closer to family and a positive support system; and he has committed to never make this kind of mistake again.”

Harrower’s sentencing document included letters of support from his wife, his sister-in-law and his boss.

Rebecca Harrower wrote that her husband is “a very hard-working” and “God-fearing” man who is a great father to their four children ages 1 to 11 and “is always ready to help out extended family.”

“I know he has great remorse for his actions in this case,” she said. “My husband is a law-abiding citizen and only wants the best for his country.”

©2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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North Carolina welcomes a historic visitor in Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is cementing economic links and cultural amity with North Carolina after a visit to Washington focused on global security issues. His visit included a historic lunch at the governor’s mansion with Gov. Roy Cooper.

North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper, North Carolina Gov. Roy Copper, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Japan first lady Yuko Kishida pose for a photograph before attending a luncheon at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

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Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a luncheon in his honor at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, back left, tour the assembly building during a visit to the Honda Aircraft facility in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, second from right, walks through the assembly building during a visit to the Honda Aircraft facility in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina and Kristin Cooper, arrive at the Booksellers area of the White House for the State Dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden for Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and wife Kishida Yuko, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber, Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper addresses a luncheon in honor of Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

Japan first lady Yuko Kishida, center, is flanked by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left and Shigeo Yamada, Japan Ambassador to the United States, during a luncheon in honor of the Prime Minister at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cemented economic links and cultural amity with North Carolina on Friday, following up time in Washington during his official U.S. visit by checking up on benchmark Japanese companies building in the ninth-most populous state and meeting with students.

In between, Kishida lunched at the governor’s mansion in Raleigh, a historic first for the head of a foreign country in the Tar Heel state. Japan is North Carolina’s largest source of foreign direct investment, where over 200 Japanese companies have now set up shop, employing over 30,000 people, according to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and his office.

“I am honored to be here in North Carolina to showcase the multilayered and strong ties between Japan and the United States,” Kishida said through a translator, inside the mansion ballroom, where about 60 people listened. The guest list included Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein, Republican state House Speaker Tim Moore and executives of several Japanese and American companies in the region.

He called North Carolina “a state at the forefront of the times” and flexed his knowledge about its landmarks, mentioning Kill Devil Hills, where the Wright Brothers had their first successful flight, as an example of the state’s ingenuity.

Until now, Kishida’s trip to the U.S. had been focused on global safety. He met President Joe Biden to discuss security concerns about China’s military, participated in the first trilateral summit between the U.S., Japan and the Philippines, and made the case in an address to a joint session of Congress for the U.S. to remain involved in global security.

But Kishida, who has been Japan’s prime minister since 2021, said before his trip that he chose to stop in North Carolina to show that the Japan-U.S. partnership extends beyond Washington, according to a translation posted on his website.

Kishida, Cooper and others traveled to the Greensboro area for Friday morning visits to a Honda Aircraft Co. production facility, as well as to the construction site for a Toyota Motor Corp. electric and hybrid battery plant that is expected to ultimately employ more than 5,000 people.

Hours before Kishida and his wife arrived Thursday night at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, a subsidiary of another Japanese company, Fujifilm, announced an additional $1.2 billion investment in its upcoming biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant and another 680 jobs.

Chiaki Takagi, a Japanese studies lecturer at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, said this week that the prime minister’s visit surprised her but that it could signal a “positive future partnership” between Japan and the U.S. and more Japanese workers coming to the state.

“This whole thing will provide the area with opportunities to be engaged in very active cultural exchange between Japan and the U.S.,” Takagi said.

The luncheon marked the first time a foreign head of state has visited the governor’s mansion since record-keeping began in 1891, the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources said.

“What a better way to start than with one of our closest allies and friends from the country of Japan, with whom we share so many common interests,” Cooper said at the luncheon. “So today we make history, welcoming our wonderful friends.”

Cooper has a history of visiting Japan, making two trips to Tokyo in 2017 and 2023 during his time as governor. When it was announced Kishida was coming to the U.S., Rahm Emanuel, U.S. ambassador to Japan, said during the luncheon Cooper was the first to call to ask for the prime minister to visit his state.

Guests dined on a three-course meal prepared by James Beard award-winning Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen, which included wagyu beef tenderloin and Carolina Gold Rice pudding. Meanwhile, additional members of the Japanese delegation and the governor’s staff listened to live bluegrass music as they ate barbeque.

Kishida, Cooper and others went to North Carolina State University in Raleigh later Friday, where they met students ranging from those in middle school to adults studying Japanese. They visited the university’s Japan Center, which was established by former Gov. Jim Hunt and others in 1980 following a state trade mission to Tokyo. North Carolina State also has long, formal ties with Japan’s Nagoya University.

Earlier Friday, Kishida’s wife, Yuko, and North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper shared a traditional Japanese tea at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham.

Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh contributed to this report.

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