The latest from the unfolding Rep. Cynthia McKinney drama,

Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., expressed “sincere regret” Thursday for her altercation with a Capitol police officer, and offered an apology to the House. 

“There should not have been any physical contact in this incident,” McKinney said in brief remarks on the House floor. “I am sorry that this misunderstanding happened at all and I regret its escalation and I apologize.”

McKinney’s comments came after the case had been referred to a federal grand jury for possible prosecution.

She had previously insisted she had done nothing wrong, and accused police of “racial profiling.” She is African-American and the police officer is white.

I think it is an understatment to say that this apology is too little, too late. As Michelle Malkin reports, there is a federal grand jury investigation currentl transpiring.

A grand jury has supoenaed two Capitol Hill aides who witnessed the March 29 confrontation between Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga.. and a Capitol Police officer. McKinney is accused of striking an officer after he tried to stop her from entering a House office building without going through a security checkpoint.

Lisa Subrize, executive assistant to Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., and Troy Phillips, senior legislative assistant to Rep. Sam Farr, D- Calif., notified Speaker Dennis Hastert late Wednesday, as is customary under House procedure.

“After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, I have determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House,” both aides said in statements that a clerk read into the House record. Bob Jackson, a spokesman for McCotter, said that Subrize witnessed the confrontation and immediately filled out a form for the Capitol Police, describing what she saw. He and a spokeswoman for Farr declined further comment.