Claim via Social Media
On June 25, 2025, social media posts claimed that Capitol Police arrested wheelchair users protesting Medicaid cuts and restrained them with zip ties.
Explanation
Capitol Police confirmed that 34 protesters were arrested during a demonstration inside the Russell Senate Office Building, including multiple wheelchair users. According to the Capitol Police Public Information Office, officers used standard “flex cuffs” — white zip-tie restraints — which were visibly used on disabled protesters in widely shared videos, including one by Ross Ketschke.
The protest was organized in response to proposed Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. At the time, the Senate Parliamentarian was reviewing the bill under the Byrd Rule, which limits non-budget items in reconciliation bills.
The Capitol Police stated that protests are not permitted inside congressional buildings but can occur legally on other Capitol grounds.
Conclusion
Fact or Fiction? Fact. Wheelchair users were arrested and restrained with zip ties during a Medicaid protest inside the Capitol, as confirmed by police and video evidence.
Read More
Do you appreciate our work? Please consider one of the following ways to sustain us.
or