Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arrive at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA on January 6, 2021.
Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – The FBI is seeking public assistance in identifying people involved in the pro-Trump riots at the U.S. Capitol.
“We accept digital advice and media showing riots or violence in and around the U.S. Capitol on January 6,” an FBI tweet said.
“If you have witnessed illegal violent actions, we ask that you send all information, photos or videos that may be relevant to fbi.gov/USCapitol,” the agency said in a subsequent statement.
Chaos at the U.S. Capitol killed four people and resulted in 52 arrests. More than 50 U.S. Capitol police officers and DC police officers were injured during the Capitol attack, Steven Sund, the U.S. Capitol Police Chief, wrote in a statement Thursday.
A supporter of President Donald Trump carries a Confederate battle flag on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the Senate entrance after failing to defend security defenses in Washington on January 6, 2021.
Mike Theiler | Reuters
The riots that erupted in Washington forced Congress to withdraw from the joint session that was scheduled to formally announce the victory of President-elect Joe Biden in the November election.
After securing the Capitol, Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump was confirmed by Congress early Thursday.
Trump, during a rally in front of the White House on Wednesday, encouraged thousands of supporters to march on the Capitol to protest what have historically been ceremonial processes.
Trump returned to the White House after his speech. During subsequent riots, Trump told supporters in a tweeted video “You have to go home now,” but he did not condemn the violence and went on to falsely claim he won the election.
Subsequently, Twitter removed this tweet and blocked the president’s account.
In a statement, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf called on Trump to “strongly condemn the violence” and called the events “tragic and unhealthy.”
Protesters enter the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify the 306-232 election of President-elect Joe Biden to the Electoral College over President Donald Trump.
McNamee wins | Getty Images
“This is unacceptable. These violent actions are unconscious and I implore the president and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that took place yesterday,” Wolf said.
“Any appearance of incitement to violence by an elected official goes against what we as Americans are. All Americans are guaranteed the right to protest peacefully, but once those protests be violent, we should enforce our laws and bring those responsible to justice, regardless of political motivations. “
In a tweet Wednesday, Wolf wrote that those involved in the riots should be held responsible.
Other members of Trump’s cabinet also made harsh rebukes against the violence, but stopped criticizing the president.
In a series of tweets Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the U.S. Capitol assault unacceptable.
“Illegality and riots (here or around the world) are always unacceptable,” the nation’s top diplomat wrote. “We bring justice quickly to the criminals who took part in this revolt.”
Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said, “Violence in the Capitol building of our nation is an intolerable attack on a fundamental institution of our democracy.”
Earlier Wednesday, the Justice Department sent hundreds of federal law enforcement officers, the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service to help stifle protests.