U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde said Wednesday he has officially appealed his fine for refusing to pass through metal detectors to enter the House chamber, a step he said is necessary before he files a federal suit challenging the fine.
"The magnetometers are still there," Clyde said. "This was all intentional on my part because I had to have legal standing in order to challenge the unconstitutionality of what the Democrats and Nancy Pelosi are doing."
Clyde did not say when he expected to file the suit.
Earlier in February, Clyde and Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas were fined $5,000 for refusing the screening. Clyde argues that the metal detectors are unconstitutional, citing a clause in the U.S. Constitution that he said prohibits representatives from being impeded or arrested when enter the House floor except for major crimes such as treason.
Clyde, who represents the Ninth Congressional District in Northeast Georgia, made his comments during an appearance Wednesday on "Morning Talk with Martha Zoller."
The metal detectors were installed outside the House chamber following the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Other security features, such as an increase in the number of National Guard troops in Washington and the construction of a razor-wire fence around the Capitol, also remain in place today.
In the interview, Clyde said the fence should come down and the troops sent home so that Washington can be reopened to the people.
"We're supposed to be the people house," Clyde said. "We're supposed to be open to the people. But we are not open to the people. We are not open to the people because of this razor-wire fence and the National Guard that is stationed behind it."
He said the fence is un-American.
"This is not America," he said. "We look like a third-world country up here, and America need to know that and see that."
Clyde said Republicans are trying to apply pressure to have the troops leave Washington as early as next month.
