Capitol Police Chief Apologizes for Failures in Jan. 6 Siege

January 26, 2021by Nomaan Merchant and Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press
Capitol Police Chief Apologizes for Failures in Jan. 6 Siege
U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The interim chief of the Capitol Police apologized Tuesday for failing to prepare for what became a violent insurrection despite having warnings that white supremacists and far-right groups would target Congress.

Yogananda Pittman, in prepared testimony before Congress, said that the Capitol Police “failed to meet its own high standards as well as yours.” She listed several missteps: not having enough manpower or supplies on hand, not following through with a lockdown order she issued during the siege and not having a sufficient communications plan for a crisis.

“We knew that militia groups and white supremacists organizations would be attending,” Pittman wrote. “We also knew that some of these participants were intending to bring firearms and other weapons to the event. We knew that there was a strong potential for violence and that Congress was the target.”

Her admissions come as U.S. law enforcement investigate a number of threats aimed at members of Congress and as the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump gets underway. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that authorities have detected ominous chatter about killing legislators or attacking them outside the Capitol.

Trump supporters tore down fences and broke through doors and windows after an event in which the now-former president called on them to “fight” and “stop the steal.” Inside the building, Congress was certifying the victory of President Joe Biden. Five people died, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. A sixth person, another Capitol Police officer, later died by suicide.

The day after the riot, then-Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund said that his force “had a robust plan established to address anticipated First Amendment activities.” Sund has since resigned, as have the sergeants-at-arms for the House and Senate.

Officers who have spoken to the AP described being overrun by insurrectionists who in many cases were more armed than they were. The officers said they were given next to no plan beforehand or communication during the riot.

There are conflicting accounts of why the Capitol Police did not have more backup. In her testimony, Pittman said Sund asked the Capitol Police Board, which oversees the department, to declare a state of emergency and allow him to request National Guard support, but the board declined. The Defense Department has said it asked the Capitol Police if it needed the Guard, but the request was denied.

Several law enforcement and congressional reviews are underway.

Both Pittman and Timothy Blodgett, the acting House sergeant-at-arms, told Congress on Tuesday that they need stronger communications and more fortifications around the Capitol building. Blodgett called on members of Congress to prepare for future emergencies and offered training for any offices that requested it.

“You want people to have some level of access to the government,” said Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. But he noted that it’s also important that they feel protected and positioned to respond quickly to anything that might happen.

___

Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report.

A+
a-
  • Capitol Hill Riot
  • Capitol Police
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Law Enforcement

    March 28, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Elections Task Force Prosecutes 2020 ‘Vigilantes,’ Seeks More Civic Dialogue

    PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 46-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending death threats to... Read More

    PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 46-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending death threats to an Arizona election official. The sentencing of Joshua Russell, of Bucyrus, Ohio, came after he pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication.... Read More

    February 9, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Fake Biden Robocalls During New Hampshire Primary Traced to Texas

    CONCORD, N.H. — Fraudulent robocalls using an AI-generated impersonation of President Joe Biden to discourage voting in the New Hampshire... Read More

    CONCORD, N.H. — Fraudulent robocalls using an AI-generated impersonation of President Joe Biden to discourage voting in the New Hampshire Democratic primary last month have been traced to a Texas-based company, known as Life Corp., and an individual named Walter Monk. The announcement by New Hampshire... Read More

    January 23, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    Washington Lawyers’ Committee Suggests Abolishing DC Police’s Gang Database

    WASHINGTON — A report this month from the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs warns that Washington,... Read More

    WASHINGTON — A report this month from the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs warns that Washington, D.C., police appear to be violating constitutional rights to privacy with their Gang Database. Innocent persons could be placed on the list merely by associating with... Read More

    January 3, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    Sen. Menendez Faces More Charges Alleging Bribe-Taking in Qatari Deal

    NEW YORK — More bribery allegations were lodged Tuesday against Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., as he faces criminal prosecution on... Read More

    NEW YORK — More bribery allegations were lodged Tuesday against Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., as he faces criminal prosecution on charges of using his political influence with the Egyptians and Qataris to help his personal finances. The superseding indictment the Justice Department unveiled Tuesday says Menendez... Read More

    December 21, 2023
    by Tom Ramstack
    Justice Dept. Accuses Real Estate Developers of Taking Advantage of Immigrants

    HOUSTON — The Justice Department on Wednesday sued real estate developers behind a large housing complex outside of Houston the... Read More

    HOUSTON — The Justice Department on Wednesday sued real estate developers behind a large housing complex outside of Houston the government has accused of taking advantage of immigrants. Colony Ridge promises the buyers secure housing but the Justice Department says it is commonly flooded with sewage,... Read More

    Cause Sought of Explosion in Arlington, Virginia, Home as Police Tried to Serve Warrant

    ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Hours before a massive explosion destroyed a duplex and shook a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., a suspect... Read More

    ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Hours before a massive explosion destroyed a duplex and shook a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., a suspect inside his home fired a flare gun 30 to 40 times into the neighborhood, drawing a large police response, officials said Tuesday. All officers escaped serious... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top