The United States Capitol Police (USCP) say they are prepared for any possible future attacks on Congress, ahead of the second anniversary of the deadly January 6 riot and the dissolution of the panel investigating it.
Key points:
- The January 6 investigative panel has released its last documents and cited security concerns
- Republicans will take over the House majority this month, and have vowed to dissolve the panel
- Around 900 people have so far been charged with taking part in the 2021 riot in Washington DC
USCP chief Tom Manger said the current threat climate, “particularly against elected officials”, would require “continued and heightened vigilance”.
“With the polarised state of our nation, an attack like the one our department endured on January 6, 2021 could be attempted again,” he said in a statement on Monday.
“Should the unthinkable happen, we will be ready.”
Five people died and more than 140 police officers were injured two years ago when supporters of then-president Donald Trump violently breached the US Capitol as politicians and Mr Trump’s vice-president Mike Pence were set to certify his loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Last month a bipartisan House of Representatives panel investigating the attack said Mr Trump should face criminal charges for his role in sparking the deadly siege.
Its 18-month probe ends as Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans take over the House majority, having vowed to dissolve the panel and instead take on Mr Biden, his administration, and his son Hunter.
In releasing its last cache of documents on Monday, the January 6 panel cited security concerns as Congress changes hands, sending some records to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to review and return to the National Archives.
“As of next week when the Committee dissolves, the Committee will no longer exercise control over this material, and thus cannot ensure enforcement of the commitment to maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the witnesses,” wrote panel chairman Representative Bennie Thompson, a Democrat, and vice chair Representative Liz Cheney, a Republican.
Incoming US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told MSNBC it was now up to the US Department of Justice “to now follow the facts, apply the law, [and] be guided by the Constitution.”
About 900 people have been charged so far with taking part in the riot, including about 470 guilty pleas, according to a tally released last month by the department.
The USCP are conducting their own investigation into the attack.
Reuters
