An Oregon lawmaker is currently under investigation after he was caught on video opening a door to the Oregon Capitol to allow a violent mob in.

In the Dec. 21 video footage that was obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive, Rep. Mike Nearman walked out of a backdoor in the Oregon Capitol building, which is currently closed to the public because of COVID-19. As he opened the door to leave, several far-right demonstrators illegally entered and signaled others to join them. Nearman did not take any action to stop the group from entering.

Shortly after the breach, state troopers and Salem police officers immediately tried to block the intruders from entering the building. They tried to push the angry mob back outside.

“After nearly 10 minutes of jostling, and with the crowd forced out of the building, police retreated after being hit with what they later described as ‘bear mace,’” reports OPB.

As authorities fell back, several members of the mob made it deeper into the Capitol. Some of them held Confederate flags, while others were dressed in military garments. They chanted things like “arrest Kate Brown” and “enemies of the state.” Two members of the mob were arrested after police in riot gear cleared everyone from the state Capitol.

“OSP has confirmed and informed us that Rep. Mike Nearman did open a door to allow demonstrators into the building,” House Speaker Tina Kotek said Thursday (Jan. 7). “This was a serious, serious breach of public trust. His actions put staff and legislators and law enforcement in danger.”

Nearman is now under criminal investigation. He is facing possible legislative discipline for his role in the breach. On Thursday (Jan. 7), Nearman declined to discuss the incident, saying, “I don’t have anything to say.”

Check out video footage of Nearman letting the mob into the state Capitol below.