An information gap following the Capitol assault has fueled fears among members of Congress that it was an internal affair involving Capitol police.
Why it’s important: The massive resignations of the Capitol police chief and the Senate and House gun sergeant, along with few briefings from federal officials like the FBI, have left unanswered important questions and a single Democratic congressman in Ohio trying to fill in the gaps.
Representative Tim Ryan, chairman of a House Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing Capitol police, has conducted three virtual briefings to update reporters.
- On Monday, he shared the shocking news that two Capitol police officers had been suspended and 10-15 were being investigated for their behavior during the riot.
- “One was the selfie officer and another was an officer who put on a MAGA hat and started directing people,” Ryan said.
- There has been no official conference or press conference by the Capitol police since the attack.
A Democratic House aide told Axios that among other things discussed in their weekly caucus call this afternoon, members expressed “much anger and frustration over national security failures.”
- Rep. Jim Clyburn (DS.C.) said Friday that something “dishonest” had happened after the riot police apparently went to pick him up at an unmarked office separate from his main location in Statuary Hall with his first name.
The backdrop: Ryan and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) Announced last Thursday that the procurement subcommittee of the legislative branch, which funds Capitol police, is actively investigating what happened.
- They have been conducting several hearings and calls with law enforcement and military officers as they worked on a tight schedule to get more answers and implement changes / reforms for the inauguration.
The summary: Uncertainty ensues when the clock is reduced to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden in nine days.