The Capitol riot is a reminder of the links between police and white supremacy
Almost 30 police officers attended the Capitol rally. It should come as no surprise.
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As investigations of last week’s riot at the US Capitol continue, one thing has become abundantly clear: The people involved were not just “fringe” elements, disconnected from the mainstream of society.
Prominent among the rioters was a group with a lot of institutional and social power police officers and other law enforcement officials. Indeed, nearly 30 sworn officers have been identified so far as
attendees to the rally leading to Wednesday’s riot, according to NPR.
Army Guardsman, first known service member, arrested after Capitol riot January 14 Army National Guardsman Jacob Fracker, left, and Thomas Robertson, an Army Reserve veteran, are photographed inside the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6. Both men, members of the Rocky Mount (Va.) Police Department, were arrested Wednesday in connection to the riot that took place as members of Congress tried to count Electoral College votes. (Court records/social media) Two off-duty Virginia police officers who’ve served in the Army including one who is still in the National Guard and a former active duty airman have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Fearing specter of extremist violence, governors plan for National Guard at home Dan Lamothe, Missy Ryan, Gregory S. Schneider Governors in multiple states moved Thursday to activate National Guardsmen to bolster security in their own jurisdictions through Inauguration Day, adding new wrinkles to a sprawling nationwide security plan spawned by the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump supporters. Some governors have put their guardsmen on standby status to deploy only if there is an emergency, while others have promised that troops will be on the streets alongside police officers. “It’s not a newfound concern for security. We’ve always had a concern for security,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who announced that about 500 guardsmen will be in uniform, mostly in downtown Columbus. “We also, though, have seen what happened at the nation’s capital.”