The Senate has launched a bipartisan investigation into the “security failures” at the Capitol after Wednesday’s riot.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Committee on Rules and Administration announced Friday that they would be conducting a joint oversight investigation of security measures at the Capitol after a mob stormed the building.
“Wednesday’s violent and criminal acts directed at our Capitol, a symbol of American Democracy, will forever be a stain on our nation’s history,” Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) said in a statement. “Due to the heroic acts of many, the perpetrators of this attack failed to achieve their goal. It is our duty as bipartisan leaders of the Senate committees with jurisdiction over homeland security, oversight and Capitol operations to examine the security failures that led to Wednesday’s attack.”
“Let us be clear: An attack on the Capitol Building is an attack on every American. We plan to conduct oversight and hold bipartisan hearings on these horrific events, and work together to make the necessary reforms to ensure this never happens again.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also said Thursday there would be an investigation into the Capitol’s security protocols, according to The Hill.
“Yesterday represented a massive failure of institutions, protocols, and planning that are supposed to protect the first branch of our federal government,” he said, according to the report. “A painstaking investigation and thorough review must now take place and significant changes must follow.”
Rioters, in support of President Donald Trump, stormed the Capitol Wednesday after breaking through multiple levels of security and entering both the House and Senate chambers.
“The ultimate blame … lies with the unhinged criminals,” McConnell said, according to the report. “But this fact does not and will not preclude our addressing the shocking failures in the Capitol’s security posture and protocols.”
Steven Sund, head of the U.S. Capitol Police, announced his resignation from the force Thursday.
BREAKING: A spokeswoman for Capitol Police says Capitol Police Chief Sund is resigning effective January 16, 2021.
Resignation comes after yesterday’s botched response to the riot in the Capitol, and a call from @SpeakerPelosi for him to resign.
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 7, 2021
Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Irving is also resigning after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi reportedly called for his resignation, according to Politico. Prior to his resignation, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would fire Irving if he didn’t resign before Democrats take the majority, according to Politico.
Five people died due to the riot, including a Capitol Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was injured “while physically engaging with protesters,” during the riots, NBC’s Frank Thorp V reported. (RELATED: Photos: The Political Symbols Of The Capitol Riot)
BREAKING: A Capitol Police Officer has died after being injured by a protester in the Capitol on Jan 6
Per spox: Officer Sicknick was responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and was injured while physically engaging with protesters. pic.twitter.com/g67NhGKJm0
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 8, 2021
Sicknick’s death is under federal investigation.
