On Wednesday, House Democrats called for an immediate investigation into “suspicious behavior” and access that would have been granted to visitors on Capitol Hill the day before the riot.
The 34 lawmakers, in a letter, urged the Capitol Police and the House and Senate arms sergeants to examine the matter. Deputy Mikie Sherrill, DN.J., joined others who said they noticed an exceptionally high number of outside groups in the complex on January 5.
“This is unusual for several reasons, including the fact that access to the Capitol Complex has been restricted since public travel ended in March last year due to the pandemic,” the letter said, according to Politico. Lawmakers said the trips “were so worrying” that they were reported “to Sergeant Arms” on the same day, January 5.
NJ CZECH REP. SHERRILL: UNIDENTIFIED LAWMAKERS Took “RECONNAISSANCE” TOURS BEFORE CAPITOL ATTACK
Congressman Mikie Sherrill, DN.J., takes the steps of the House to vote on the Capitol on Thursday, September 17, 2020. (Photo by Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“Visitors found by some of the members of Congress in this letter appeared to be associated with the White House demonstration the next day,” wrote lawmakers. “The members of the group that attacked the Capitol seemed to have an unusually detailed knowledge of the layout of the Capitol Complex. The presence of these groups within the Capitol Complex was indeed suspect.”
Among the requests made in the letter is whether there are visitor logbooks that are regularly inspected and collected. They also asked security officials to provide information about the names of the “members or employees” who were part of the alleged trips.
Sherrill, a former helicopter pilot for the United States Navy, said members of Congress conducted apparent Capitol “reconnaissance” trips the day before the riot.
Sherrill made his comments during a 13-minute video on Facebook, where he addressed his constituents about the steps Congress will take to hold President Trump and “those responsible” for allegedly inciting the riot.
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The deputy did not name any of the MPs or give additional details on what qualified her “recognition” actions during the video, according to the media company.
Congressman Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, told reporters on Capitol Hill that he heard about some names of colleagues who potentially took tours, but said he would wait to be sure “we get verification.”
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Sherrill told Fox News on Wednesday, “We are requesting an investigation now with certain agencies”, without giving further details.