Headline RoundupJanuary 9th, 2021

Capitol Police Rejected Offers of Federal Help Before and During Capitol Breach

Violence In America, Capitol Chaos, Criminal Justice

Summary from the AllSides News Team

The U.S. Capitol Police reportedly rejected federal help in the days leading up to the planned Capitol protests on Jan. 6, and again as the Capitol building was breached Wednesday. The Associated Press reported that the Capitol police added more personnel but were prepared only for a free speech demonstration, despite the Pentagon's offer of National Guard assistance on Jan. 3, and the Justice Department's offer of FBI agents, which were rejected by Capitol police. Five people died as a result of Wednesday's events. U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, Sergeant at Arms of the Senate Michael Stenger and Sergeant at Arms of the House Paul Irving all resigned after pressure from lawmakers. The story received coverage from across the political spectrum. Right-rated outlets tended to highlight the officials who resigned after pressure from lawmakers; some voices from the left criticized Capitol police for not being prepared despite adequate time.

Featured Coverage of this Story

From the Center

Capitol Police rejected offer for help from National Guard days before deadly riot: report

The Hill

See rating details

The Hill

News

The U.S. Capitol Police turned down offers for support from the National Guard and the FBI to help manage what ended up becoming a massive Capitol security breach carried out by a mob of pro-Trump supporters.

Capitol Police were contacted by the Pentagon three days before the planned event to see if they needed assistance from the National Guard, The Associated Press reports. Then as the rioters fell upon the Capitol, leaders from the Justice Department reached out to see if they needed assistance from FBI agents. Sources close to...

Open on The Hill

From the Left

Storming Of the Capitol was Openly Planned But Ignored By Law Enforcement

The Intercept

See rating details

News

Just hours after being the site of a historic siege, the scene outside of the U.S. Capitol was eerie but quiet. The crowds were gone, and the tear gas had lifted. The only sound on the streets was the occasional siren in the distance. From police cruisers to blacked-out SUVs, nearly every vehicle on the road belonged to one law enforcement agency or another. A few dozen TV anchors filed reports from the Capitol’s southwest side. Over their shoulders, camouflaged government employees of unclear affiliation ambled about, relocating their shields...

Open on The Intercept

Possible Paywall

From the Right

Capitol Police Rejected Multiple Offers of Federal Help: Report

The Epoch Times

See rating details

News

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) rejected offers of federal manpower days before Jan. 6—and they again turned down an offer of federal reinforcements as protestors breached the Capitol building during the formal counting of electoral votes.

Three days before Jan. 6, the Pentagon asked Capitol Police if they needed National Guard manpower, but their offer was turned down by Capitol Police, unnamed senior defense officials told the Associated Press.

And as the building was being stormed, Justice Department leaders reached out to Capitol police and offered to provide them with FBI...

Open on The Epoch Times

Possible Paywall

More headline roundups