During a conversation with Senator Josh Hawley at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, former US Capitol Police (USCP) chief Steven Sund called retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré’s recent comments “disrespectful” to USCP officers who defended the Capitol on January 6.
Honoré gained fame for his role in responding to Hurricane Katrina, but more recently appeared on cable news and other media as a commentator. In an interview on MSNBC in the days following the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Honoré attacked the Capitol Police and House and Senate sergeants, claiming “complicity” in the rebellion.
“Mr. Sund, were you complicit in this attack on January 6?” Hawley, R-Mo., Asked Sund, who resigned after the security breaches of the attack.
“Absolutely not, sir. I heard those comments too. And I think it’s disrespectful to myself and the members of the Capitol Police Department,” said Sund.
Lieutenant-General Russel Honore comments during a memorial service for Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans on August 29, 2007, on the second anniversary of the disaster. AFP PHOTO / Paul J. Richards (photo credit should be PAUL J. RICHARDS / AFP via Getty Images)
HAWLEY DESCRIBES ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ HONORE: ‘HE HAS NO COMPANY LEADING A SECURITY ANALYSIS’
Hawley also asked ex-weapons sergeant and Senate porter Michael Stenger and ex-weapons sergeant Paul Irving if they were complicit in the attack.
“Absolutely not, Senator,” Irving replied. Stenger appeared to be in technical trouble and was unable to respond.
“Of course none of you were,” said Hawley. “There is absolutely no evidence to that effect and I think your comments have been considered properly. To claim that you – any of you – were complicit in this violent crowd attack on this building, I think it is not just extremely disrespectful. It is really quite shocking. And that person should not be leading any security review related to the January 6 events. “
Honoré said specifically on MSNBC that he believes that US Capitol police will be held partially responsible for the attack, which forced hundreds of lawmakers and former Vice President Pence to hide.
“I think that once all of this was discovered, it was complicit actions by the Capitol Police,” Honoré also said in his interview with MSNBC. Honoré went on to say that the investigation needs to determine whether former US Capitol Chief of Police Steven Sund “was … an accomplice to the arms sergeant in the House and Senate.”
RUSSEL HONORE, PELOSI’S CHOICE FOR CAPITOL SAFETY REVIEW, POLICY COMPLAINED WAS ‘COMPLICITE’ IN THE Riot
Despite this and other controversial comments by Honoré, Pelosi maintained his choice to read the Capitol’s security review.
“General Honoré is a committed public servant whose name is synonymous with integrity and professionalism. His efforts to review the security infrastructure of the United States Capitol, interagency processes and procedures, and command and control included the pursuit of bipartisan contributions to fulfill your mission, “spokesman Drew Hammill told Fox News. “There is no room for partisanship in the speaker’s efforts to make the United States Capitol a safe place for officials, workers, the press and members.”
Pelosi in a letter to his Democratic members this week said: “It is also clear from General Honoré’s interim report that we must propose an additional allocation to ensure the safety of members and the safety of the Capitol.”
Notably last week, the Capitol Police suspended six officers and was investigating 35 others for actions on January 6.
The investigation into the January 6 attack remains under investigation, “the department said in a statement.” Our Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the actions of 35 police officers that day. We currently suspend six of these directors with compensation. Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has determined that any member of her department whose behavior does not comply with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline. “
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The violation of the Capitol by a pro-Trump crowd followed a speech by the former president earlier in the day when he encouraged the crowd – including an occasion when he said they should march “peacefully and patriotically.”
Eventually, the large pro-Trump crowd oppressed the Capitol police and violated the Capitol, forcing hundreds of lawmakers and Pence to hide while looting the building.
Trump was eventually accused of inciting an insurrection during the Capitol riot, but was not convicted at the Senate trial last week.
Brooke Singman and Leah Crawley of Fox News contributed to this report.