Capitol riots: Chief says back-up denied over ‘optics’, as 15,000 troops requested ahead of ‘uprising’
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
‘We are missing him terribly’: Family of Capitol police officer who died during riot releases statement
The family of Brian D Sicknick described him as a “lovely, humble soul”.
“He was sweet natured through and through. Everyone who met him adored him. He also loved his dachshunds dearly, spoiling them, and ensuring they got the best care possible,” the family statement said.
“He loved his job with the US Capitol Police, and was very passionate about it. He also had an incredible work ethic. He was very serious about showing up to work on time and refused to call out sick unless absolutely necessary.”
Read the full statement below, via Capitol Hill producer Rebecca Kaplan.
Washington monument closed ahead of Inauguration Day as mayor calls for public events to be cancelled
The Washington Monument has been closed amid safety concerns ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on 20 January.
The announcement comes as the mayor of the District of Columbia (DC) called for all public inauguration events to be cancelled ahead of the ceremony.
The US National Park Service said on Monday that the monument would remain closed until 24 January following continuing threats from groups involved in last week's US Capitol riot.
The Independent’s Louise Hall has the story.
Washington monument closed ahead of Inauguration Day as mayor calls for public events to be cancelled
US National Park Service receiving continued threats from groups involved in last week's US Capitol riot
The most notable arrests from the pro-Trump Capitol riot
More than 120 people have been arrested since the storming of the Capitol by rioters loyal to Donald Trump that disrupted the verification of the electoral college vote by Congress.
Arrests continue to be made as the FBI combs through photos, video, and more than 40,000 tips in addition to leads submitted over the phone. Charges include unlawful entry, firearms-related crimes, and violations of the curfew imposed on the District of Columbia.
The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell has the most notable arrests to date.
The most notable arrests from the pro-Trump Capitol riot
Some of those who entered the building searched for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and chanted for Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged
Melania Trump faces outcry over her comments about ‘personal attacks’ she faced following deadly Capitol mob
A statement the White House released from first lady Melania Trump has sparked swift backlash after she painted herself as a victim of “unwarranted personal attacks” in the wake of the deadly riots at the Capitol in support of her husband.
The first lady said she was “disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week” — seemingly referring to the pro-Trump mob, which threatened to kill the heads of government while clashing with police officers and ransacking the halls and offices of Congress as it convened to certify the 2020 presidential elections.
She then added: “I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me — from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda.”
Chris Riotta reports.
Melania Trump faces outcry over her comments about ‘personal attacks’ she faced following deadly Capitol mob
First lady says she was ‘disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week’ — then goes on to decry ‘salacious gossip’ she endured in recent days
Two Capitol police suspended, one arrested, over role in riots, says Congressman
Chair of the House subcommittee that oversees Capitol Police, Tim Ryan, says two police officers have been suspend, and one arrested, for their role in the 6 January riots.
The congressman said two took selfies with protesters, while another put on a Maga hat while taking rioters around the Capitol.
“I don’t have any direct evidence as yet of any kind of inside job, we do have a couple of Capitol Police we talked about before with taking selfies and another Capitol Police evidently put on a Maga hat and was walking people, not sure all the details, they have been suspended, someone else has been arrested,” he said.
“Any incidence of Capitol Police facilitating of being part of what happened, we need to know that because we need to know about security for the coming week. So we need to flesh that out, and find out who may have been involved in that.”
BREAKING: Chad Wolf resigns as acting head of homeland security
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf has resigned, becoming the third cabinet member to leave the Trump administration since the assault on the Capitol.
In a letter to the department, Mr Wolf said he was resigning due to the “ongoing and meritless court rulings regarding the validity of my authority as Acting Secretary”.
He said it was diverting attention and resources away from the department during the “critical time of a transition of power”.
Pete Gaynor, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency will step into the role for the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Oliver O’Connell is following the story as it unfolds.
Acting head of homeland security Chad Wolf resigns
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf has resigned, becoming the third cabinet member to leave the Trump administration since the assault on the Capitol.
‘Podium guy’ Adam Johnson released on $25K bond
Pictured with Nancy Pelosi’s podium in at the US Capitol, Adam Johnson quickly became infamous as the “podium guy”.
He’s been released on bond, and his defence team, by their own admission, has its work cut out for it.
“You have a photograph of our client in a building, unauthorised to be there with what appears to be a podium or a lectern, I’m not exactly sure which one it was called, but that’s what we have,” said defence attorney Dan Eckhart
He added: “I don’t know how else to explain that but yeah that would be a problem I’m not a magician… we’ve got a photograph of our client in what appears to be inside a federal building or inside the Capitol.”
Via WTSP reporter Josh Sidorowicz
State capitols step up security amid new safety concerns
State capitols across the nation stepped up security Monday, deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers while several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week’s violence at the US Capitol.
The protections came as the FBI issued a bulletin warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s 20 January inauguration.
Washington state Governor Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol. At least two people were arrested, including a man who tried to walk past authorities as lawmakers were to begin their session and shouted: “I have every right to witness this.”
At the Georgia Capitol, a state patrol SWAT team walked the perimeter wearing fatigues and carrying rifles while lawmakers gathered inside for the start of a two-year term. State troopers were stationed throughout the Iowa Capitol for opening day as more than 200 people opposing coronavirus mask mandates chanted “freedom” during a peaceful rally. - AP
Trump warned of bank-draining OJ Simpson-style civil suits if he self-pardons
Donald Trump was advised not to pardon himself, both by White House legal counsel and the former attorney general, and that he could face civil liability suits in relation to Wednesday’s assault on the Capitol.
Pat Cipollone and Bill Barr both warned the president against pardoning himself — Mr Barr doing so before resigning in December.
CNN reports that they both believe a 1974 Justice Department legal memo states that a sitting president is unable to self-pardon.
Separately, a source told ABC News that there is great potential for civil legal action stemming from Mr Trump encouraging a mob of his supporters to march on Congress and the violence subsequently followed
The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell reports.
Trump warned of bank-draining OJ Simpson-style civil suits if he self-pardons
Presidential pardons cover federal crimes, but have no impact on state or civil legal action
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