Capitol riots: Chief says back-up denied over ‘optics’, as 15,000 troops requested ahead of ‘uprising’
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Ousted police chief Steve Sund said he requested help or back up six times before and during the Capitol riots but was denied over the “optics”.
In his first interview since resigning, Sund said he asked House and Senate security officials permission to request the National Guard be placed on standby but that House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving wasn’t comfortable with the “optics” of formally declaring an emergency ahead of pro-Trump demonstrations.
The insight into what went wrong comes as the FBI warned an 'armed uprising' could take place in all 50 state capitols between now and the inauguration of Joe Biden if Congress moves to remove Donald Trump before 20 January.
As a result, the Pentagon has approved an additional 15,000 National Guard to be deployed or remain on stand by to for Inauguration Day.
Democrats, meanwhile, introduced an article of impeachment to the floor of the House of Representatives as lawmakers prepare to vote on a resolution asking the vice president, Mike Pence, to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Donald Trump from office.
For his part, Pence reportedly had his first call with Trump since the riot and committed to working together until the end of his term, appearing to douse speculation he could invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office.
With Republicans expected to resist the unanimous resolution, it is likely to return to the floor for a full vote on Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said. From that point, Pence will have 24 hours to respond, and if not the House will move to impeach the president.
In conversation with House Republicans, House GOP minority leader Kevin McCarthy reportedly said Trump bears some responsibility for the riot at the US Capitol. Even so, he said opposes impeachment but would be open to supporting a motion of censuring the president.
The work to remove Trump comes as his supporters planned to protest outside Twitter’s HQ in San Francisco, furious at the firm for suspending the outgoing president’s account.
Twenty people have now been arrested and await trial for their roles in the assault on Congress, while a Capitol Police officer who was videoed bravely confronting rioters inside the halls of Congress has been named as Eugene Goodman.
At least two Capitol police officers were suspended for taking selfies with rioters, while one was supposedly arrested for wearing a Maga hat and leading them around, according to Chair of the House subcommittee that oversees Capitol Police, congressman Tim Ryan.
Concerns Trump supporters will riot outside Twitter HQ
Twitter’s headquarters in San Francisco has reportedly been braced for demonstrations by Donald Trump’s supporters on Monday, furious at the social media firm’s decision to permanently ban the US president from its site following last week’s violence in Washington DC.
According to reports, supporters of Mr Trump have been discussing such plans online in recent days, raising concerns that Twitter’s headquarters could come under attack in the same way the Capitol Building was stormed last week - with that “insurrection” also allegedly discussed on online forums and social media before Wednesday.
San Francisco police told the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday that plans were in place to respond to any escalation in violence, including requesting assistance from nearby law enforcement agencies — if needed.
Praise continues for ‘hero’ Capitol Police officer
Congressional lawmakers and others have continued to praise Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who confronted pro-Trump rioters last week, and was said to have saved lives in the process, after he diverted a mob away from the Senate chamber.
Democrats officially launch impeachment articles
House Democrats have formally introduced a pair of resolutions with the end goal of removing Donald Trump from office in the final days of his presidency.
A vote on the articles is expected to come on Wednesday or Thursday, after first trying to convince Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove and replace Mr Trump, writes Griffin Connolly.
House Democrats officially launch bid to oust Trump
President likely to be impeached for ‘incitement to insurrection’
Zip-tie rioter arrested
A man who was photographed holding heavy duty zip-ties in the Senate chamber during last weeks assault on the Capitol, has now been arrested.
Larry Rendall Brock Jr., a US Air Force veteran, was arrested on Sunday in Texas for breaking into Congress, as well for carrying zip-ties "used by law enforcement to restrain and/or detain subjects," the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday.
Pictures showing the rioter holding large zip-ties on Wednesday, raised concerns that someone could have been harmed, or held hostage.
Republican says Democrat’s ‘overplaying’ riot deaths
Republican congressman Darrell Issa has attacked Democrats who have introduced impeachment articles against Donald Trump, and said such action was "overplaying a lot of things, including the deaths of these people on Capitol Hill"
Those remarks, which appeared to downplay the deaths of three rioters and two police officers, told Fox News on Monday that a second impeachment process against the president was akin to “kicking him when he’s down".
Democrats and some Republicans have argued that a impeachment trial could stop Mr Trump from returning for office following his incitement of the insurrection last week, while those who have continued to voice support for the president have been condemned.
FBI has received more than 40,000 digital tips after Capitol riot
The FBI has received more than 40,000 digital tips - consisting mostly of videos and photographs - related to last week’s Capitol riot, after the agency appealed for help identifying people who were "actively instigating violence” in the attack, CNN reported.
It follows a call from the agency last week, which said: “The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol building and surrounding area in Washington DC, on January 6, 2021.”
So far, federal authorities have arrested and charged twenty people in connection to the attack on the Capitol, while 25 people are also believed to be under current investigation.
Rioter who wore ‘Camp Auschwitz’ shirt is identified
A man who was photographed wearing a t-shirt with the words “Camp Auschwitz" at the Capitol riot has been identified as Robert Keith Packer of Virginia, CNN reported.
Mr Packer, who has not been charged for storming the Capitol last week, was among a number of rioters whose images circulated widely on social media after the attack - in part thanks to his clothing.
A neighbour of the man told CNN: "He's been always extreme and very vocal about his beliefs".
Giuliani could be be debarred after Capitol riot comments
Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, could be removed from the The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) after he was said to have encouraged the president’s supporters to storm the Capitol last week.
He told crowds last Wednesday there should be “trial by combat” to decided November’s election results, in apparent disregard for the actual outcome.
NYSBA issued a statement saying complaints before and after those comments, had led to an investigation into Mr Giuliani, who could lose his accreditation as a result, writes Graig Graziosi.
Rudy Giuliani could be disbarred after Capitol riot
Democratic lawmakers sent letters calling for investigations into Mr Giuliani’s standing with the organisation
FBI warning of protests amid Trump removal plans
The FBI has issued a warning for pro-Trump protests across the United States in the coming days, as Congress works to remove the US president before his term in office is due to end.
According to reports, protests similar to the ‘Stop the Steal’ march that preceded last week’s “insurrection” at the Capitol, could soon be repeated at all 50 state capitols.
It comes hours after Anthony Scaramucci, a former White House staffer, warned that the president’s supporters were planning a second attack in the days surrounding Joe Biden’s inauguration in Washington DC.
As Grame Massie reports, the FBI warning says to expect protests in the event Mr Trump is removed by the 25th Amendment, which Democrats are set to request via a resolution on Tuesday.
Armed group planning ‘huge uprising’ in DC if Trump removed by 25th amendment, FBI memo says
An armed group is planning a “huge uprising” in Washington DC if Donald Trump is removed by the 25th amendment, an FBI memo says.
Pelosi responds to Republican blockade, says party ‘complicit’
House speaker Nancy Pelosi has condemned House Republicans who blocked a request for unanimous consent on a resolution asking vice president Mike Pence to activate the 25th Amendment and remove Donald Trump as president.
She said in a statement afterwards that “House Republicans rejected this legislation to protect America, enabling the President’s unhinged, unstable and deranged acts of sedition to continue. Their complicity endangers America, erodes our Democracy, and it must end."
The resolution will return to the House floor on Tuesday for a full vote, which is expected to pass - giving Mr Pence 24 hours to remove Mr Trump before impeachment articles are passed.
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