Joe Scarborough runs afoul of the rules, sort of

the Capitol was a complete zoo on Wednesday, with new members, staff, kids, spouses and reporters all trying to figure out where they needed to be — which explains how a national TV star and former member of Congress came to be treated like, well, just an average Joe.

Shortly after noon, former Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.), the host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” was spotted being scolded by Speaker’s Lobby security for talking on the phone too close to the entrance of the famed foyer. At the time, Scarborough was leaning against a door, but officially outside it.

While members of Congress are allowed to use their phones in the paneled hallway, members of the media are strictly forbidden from chatting on devices in the room.

As such, Scarborough was told to move across the hall to continue his conversation, which he did, relocating to a spot about five feet away.

Luckily, the talk show host wasn’t made to feel like a nobody for long: As word spread that he and co-host Mika Brzezinski were in the House (pun intended), a handful of newly elected members and their families crowded the duo, taking pictures and looking a bit star-struck.

---