Exclusive: How Officials Fear of Donald Trump Paralyzed Intelligence Agencies, Led to Capitol Riot
By William M. Arkin
From Left: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty; Olivier DOULIERY/AFP/Getty
The Department of Homeland Security looked the other way. So did the Pentagon. The FBI collected reports of violence and criminal activity but took no action. The U.S. Capitol Police wrote a threat assessment that President Trump s supporters were disappointed and desperate, that they might become violent. They were all monitoring social media. But only the District of Columbia government and police went on alert; no one else otherwise prepared. That s because government and military officials were afraid.
House Republicans Rage Against ‘Unconstitutional’ Metal Detectors Now Installed Outside Chamber After Violent Riots
By Reed RichardsonJan 12th, 2021, 10:21 pm
Rules for thee, but not for me?
House Republicans furiously lashed out at and brazenly disobeyed new safety protocols that American schoolchildren, air travelers, and sports fans must abide by every day. Newly-installed metal detectors put in place outside the House chamber in response to last week’s violent insurrection in the Capitol ignited both anger and hyperbole among some of the most ardent fans of the president who incited that attack.
Per a NBC News report, the extra layer of security quickly became a flash point for some Republican lawmakers, who wanted to enter the House chamber unimpeded for floor votes. After lines began forming to enter and Capitol police begin asking to wand members of Congress who triggered the detectors, a small contingent of far right Republicans began to complain and flout
Former defense secretary says assault on US Capitol was fomented by Mr. Trump
From CNN s Barbara Starr
In this April 23, 2017 file photos, James Mattis listens to a question during a news conference at Camp Lemonnier on April 23, 2017 in Ambouli, Djibouti. Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images
President Trump’s first Secretary of Defense James Mattis called the riots in Washington, DC, today a violent assault on our Capitol, an effort to subjugate American democracy by mob rule and said it was fomented by Mr. Trump.”
Mattis said Trump has used “the Presidency to destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens has been enabled by pseudo-political leaders whose names will live in infamy as profiles in cowardice.”
Congress was forced to abruptly halt its session on counting Electoral College votes won by President-elect Joe Biden as supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the U.S. Capitol. But the counting resumed, and Biden’s win was certified.