The New York Times informs:

At least one National Guard soldier is under investigation for standing in front of a sign on Monday morning bearing the name of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, with both of his middle fingers extended and posing for photographs taken by about a half-dozen other soldiers, officials said.

The behavior, reported by a person who witnessed it, was confirmed by the National Guard Bureau, which said it was “aware of the incident.”

The soldiers were moving through the Speaker’s Rotunda, an area on the second floor of the Capitol, just before 11 a.m. when the incident occurred. A Capitol Police officer approached the soldiers afterward and took written notes.

“I can tell you the kind of behavior you describe does not represent the professionalism of the National Guard,” said a National Guard Bureau spokeswoman, Tracy O’Grady-Walsh. “We do not tolerate behavior that is rude, unmannerly and disparaging towards the dignity of others.”

She added, “The information regarding this individual’s behavior is being referred to the individual’s chain of command for appropriate action.”

It was unclear whether the soldiers who took the photographs were also facing an investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police referred all questions to the National Guard. A spokesman for Speaker Pelosi declined to comment on Monday afternoon.

— John Ismay