House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is demanding the resignation of Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund for the crowd of supporters of President Trump who was able to storm Congress for his electoral loss.
Sund “hasn’t even called us since this happened,” Pelosi told a news conference Thursday afternoon, about 24 hours after the aggressive assault.
Pelosi (D-California) said House Sergeant Paul Irving has already resigned in response to the Capitol attack, which he delayed but did not prevent certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Trump.
Pro-Trump protesters looted offices, broke into the Senate floor and clashed with law enforcement under the roundabout during hours of chaos.
A Trump supporter was fatally shot by a police officer while trying to enter the lobby of Pelosi’s speaker. Another protester was photographed stealing Pelosi’s podium, adorned with his official stamp.
“I demand the resignation of the Capitol, the Capitol police chief, Mr. Sund,” Pelosi told a news conference Thursday afternoon.
“There was a leadership failure at the top of the Capitol police.”
Earlier in the day, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who would soon become a majority leader, demanded the resignation of Senate Arms Sergeant Mike Stenger.
“If Senate Arms Sergeant Stenger has not vacated the post … I will remove him as soon as Democrats have a majority in the Senate,” Schumer said.
Pro-Trump protesters were able to gain access to the building after encountering surprisingly little resistance in removing a perimeter fence. Several entrances to the building were then broken into, prompting lawmakers to rush to security.
The Senate chamber was entered after protesters entered the seemingly unlocked visitor galleries above the Senate floor. An activist was photographed jumping off the balcony. He then opened the doors of the Senate to others. Officers urged the group not to search the senators’ belongings.
Pelosi said there would be a thorough review, including the reasons why federal agents took so long to invade Capitol Hill to restore order.
“We will have the post-action review, but it goes beyond the Capitol police,” Pelosi said.
“She is OK. What was the deficiency in their intelligence that they provided? He goes to the Department of Defense. How long did it take to respond to or anticipate the need for the National Guard? It goes to many other elements of the executive branch. “
Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Said Thursday there were “shocking failures in the Capitol’s stance and security protocols” and called for “thorough investigation and thorough review.” .
McConnell’s wife, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, became the first member of Trump’s cabinet on Thursday to announce his resignation for the assault, which followed a speech near the White House where Trump went telling thousands of supporters that the elections were stolen from them and that they had to leave. to the Chapters.