North Carolina Rep Tim Moore Reveals a Hidden Passage Under the US Capitol – Details

North Carolina Rep. Tim Moore sparked debate after sharing a video of a hidden staircase beneath the US Capitol. While many viewers found the behind-the-scenes glimpse fascinating, others raised concerns about sharing such details publicly.

Moore gave viewers a rare look into one of the US Capitol’s lesser-known features, a sealed-off staircase hidden beneath a trapdoor in the Lincoln Room. Once the House’s post office during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, the room now holds historical significance beyond its original purpose.

In a video shared on his X account, Moore highlighted the Capitol’s rich architectural history, noting that “construction started in the 1700s, and there are all sorts of little hidden passageways.”

As he lifted a floor panel to reveal the entrance, he said, “You can see there’s a passageway. These were old stairs that used to be here but were closed off.”

Moore also remarked with amusement that despite the narrow opening, “my big self have actually gotten down and more importantly out of this hole.”

The congressman also noted that based on what he had heard, though he could not confirm it, the staircase may have been one of those used by British soldiers during their breach of the Capitol amid the attack on Washington around “1814.”

Moore described the hidden staircase as one of his favorite features to point out during tours, sharing his enthusiasm for the Capitol’s hidden architectural elements.

Footage of the hidden staircase in the Lincoln Room revealed signatures, presumably from lawmakers and others who wanted to leave their mark on the historic space.

Moore wrote in part in the video’s captions, “When President Lincoln was serving in the House, he sat by the fireplace in this room to read his letters, but the most interesting part of the room is underneath the floorboards.”

Viewers were quick to react to Moore’s clip. One curious user was instantly hooked, writing, “Sounds intriguing, can’t wait to check it out!” Another person chimed in with a playful sense of adventure, “I want to go exploring now. 🤣🔦 That’s really cool.”

Someone else appreciated the novelty of it all, “That’s very cool. I’d never seen that before.” And one fan summed up the collective awe, “WOW… that’s really interesting 🤔.”

Meanwhile, entrepreneur and author Patrick Bet-David questioned the decision to publicize this information, “What’s the point of showing this? This is a form of loose lips. We know there are tunnels. But don’t show it. The enemy is watching everything! Both foreign and domestic.”

In response, Moore clarified that the area shown in the video was not a tunnel, as many had assumed, but rather a long-sealed discreet exit that once connected the Capitol’s second floor to the outside.

During the Capitol’s early years, the House of Representatives met in the room adjacent to the Lincoln Room, Statuary Hall, which today functions as a gallery filled with statues honoring prominent figures in American history.

He noted, “It’s been closed off for decades and is public information. I always enjoy sharing pieces of history with folks back home, and it’s great to see so many people interested in it!”

The brief glimpse into the Capitol’s hidden past may have sparked concern in some corners, but for many, it offered a fascinating peek behind the scenes of American history.

The Capitol’s origins trace back to 1793 when President George Washington placed its cornerstone, marking the start of construction. The building faced significant setbacks, including damage during the War of 1812, when British troops set it ablaze along with the White House during the “Burning of Washington.”

That conflict sparked by maritime and trade tensions and came to an end in 1815. Despite the destruction, work on the Capitol resumed, and the structure was finally completed in 1826.