The Latest: Senator wants 'crime scene' evidence preserved
The incoming chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee is calling the Capitol a “crime scene” with evidence that needs to be preserved
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Latest on the fallout of the storming of the Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump loyalists (all times local):
11:50 a.m.
The incoming chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee is calling the Capitol a “crime scene” with evidence that needs to be preserved.
Sen. Mark Warner has written 11 telecommunication and social media companies asking them to immediately preserve content and associated meta-data connected to the insurrectionist attack on the Capitol on Wednesday. Those companies include mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon and from the social media world — Apple, Facebook, Gab, Google, Parler, Signal, Telegram and Twitter.
Warner says the FBI and other law enforcement agencies investigating the events of that day are trying to piece together what happened when supporters of President Donald Trump rioted at the Capitol.
The Virginia Democrat tells the companies that "messaging data to and from your subscribers that may have participated in, or assisted, those engaged in this insurrection — and associated subscriber information — are critical evidence in helping to bring these rioters to justice.”
___
11:45 a.m.
Nearly 50 House members have signed on to a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House leadership seeking an independent commission to investigate the security failures in Wednesday's riot at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Democrats Barbara Lee and Jackie Speier and 45 of their colleagues say in a letter to Pelosi and the House Administration Committee that the violent siege at the Capitol was a “wake-up call.”
Only a few dozen officers from the U.S. Capitol Police were guarding the West front of the Capitol when they were rushed by thousands of pro-Trump rioters bent on breaking into the building.
People in the mob were armed with metal pipes, pepper spray and other weapons, and they pushed past the thin police line. One rioter hurled a fire extinguisher at an officer, according to video widely circulated on YouTube.
Rioters soon broke into the building, taking over the House and Senate chambers and running wild in Statuary Hall and other hallowed symbols of democracy. The mob ransacked the place, smashing windows and waving Trump, American and Confederate flags. The lawmakers who were voting to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory were forced into hiding for hours.
___
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FALLOUT FROM THE RIOTING AT THE CAPITO :
The rampage that has shocked the world and left the country on edge is prompting a hard look at the failure to stop supporters of President Donald Trump who rioted on Wednesday. And it’s leading to a broader reckoning over Trump's tenure and his future and what comes next for a torn nation.
Read more:
— ‘Brian did his job’: Family remembers fallen Capitol officer
— Videos show fatal shooting during rampage at the Capitol
— Deadly siege focuses attention on Capitol Police
— Rioters who stormed US Capitol now face backlash at work
— A farewell to @realDonaldTrump, gone after 57,000 tweets
— ‘He’s on his own’: Some Republicans begin to flee from Trump
___
HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
2:25 a.m.
Democrats in Congress are laying the groundwork to impeach President Donald Trump. Their goal is to ensure that a commander in chief they describe as “unhinged” can't do further damage in his remaining days in office.
They're trying to send a message to the nation, and the world, that mob violence inspired by a White House won't stand after the shocking siege of the Capitol by Trump supporters left five dead.
Some Republicans are joining in the impeachment drive, saying Trump must go.
Articles of impeachment are expected to be introduced on Monday, with a House vote as soon as Wednesday. The soonest the Senate could begin an impeachment trial under the current calendar would be Jan. 20, Inauguration Day.
If Trump were to be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, he might be prevented from running for the presidency in 2024 or ever holding federal office again. He'd be the only president twice impeached.