House opens investigation into security breaches in deadly US Capitol attack

The Democratic-led House of Representatives on Saturday sent a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray and other agency heads seeking information about the intelligence and security flaws that led to the January 6 violation of the US Capitol, which forced lawmakers to step down. hide.

Four House committee chairs signed the letter, asking for documents and instructions from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Counterterrorism Center and the Director of National Intelligence about what was known before the attack.

“This still-emerging story is one of surprising bravery on the part of some United States Capitol officers and other officers; of impressive betrayal by violent criminals; and of apparent and high-level failures – in particular, with regard to intelligence and security preparation “, the committees wrote.

The letter was signed by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, DN.Y. and the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee Carolyn Maloney, DN.Y.

The investigation comes as lawmakers – and Democrats in particular – clamor for more information about how a crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump managed to break into the so-called “House of the People”, which has its own police force, and delay the College’s certification of victory Election of President-elect Joe Biden for several hours.

The inspectors general of the Department of Justice, Defense, Homeland Security and Interior launched analyzes of his agency’s actions related to the attack.

In the letter, lawmakers cited press reports that the U.S. Capitol Police had been warned that Trump supporters would attempt to violently enter the Capitol.

NBC News reported on January 10 that the FBI and the New York Police Department reported to the Capitol Police on threats of violence aimed at counting the votes of the Electoral College.

The Washington Post reported on January 12 that an FBI field office in Virginia had warned before the attack that extremists targeting Washington were planning a “war”.

“Security and logistics preparations before January 6 were not consistent with the prospect of serious and widespread violence. However, according to media reports that have emerged in recent days, federal officials and other officials previously owned – and may have shared with some parties – intelligence and other information predicting a terrible security threat against the Congress meeting to certify the election results, “wrote the committee chairmen.

“These latest reports, if implemented, may have led to more extensive planning for the event and the infusion of much more security and other resources,” they added.

Capitol Police officials said they had not seen FBI intelligence before the attack.

The committee chairs outline three broad lines of research that will follow.

The first is what was known to the intelligence community and law enforcement before, during and after the attack. Lawmakers also said they would be investigating whether any foreign powers played a role in exploiting the crisis.

The second line that the committees are examining is whether any of the current or former national security holders participated in the insurrection.

The committees are also asking for information about government policy in response to the attack, including measures to prevent people involved in crimes from traveling.

“The Committees expect and appreciate their full cooperation in this matter – although, of course, they recognize that resources should be appropriately and immediately allocated to efforts to contain any continuing threats to the transfer of power, including presidential tenure and related activities,” the committee chairs wrote.