According to the chief of the US Capitol Police, Trump’s ‘criminal’ mob ‘actively attacked’ law enforcement with metal pipes, chemical irritants, and other weapons.
On January 6, supporters of the sitting President Trump sieged Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. in n effort to prevent Congress from finalizing Joe Biden’s win in the presidential election.
The chaotic event left 4 people dead, with at least 52 people arrested and many pictured participating in illegal behavior inside the Capitol.
Videos had emerged of the demonstrators smashing windows to enter the building, with some extremists filmed intimidating and chasing a lone police officer.
According to Steven Sund, the US Capitol police chief, the rioters came prepared with different weapons.
“United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers and our law enforcement partners responded valiantly when faced with thousands of individuals involved in violent riotous actions as they stormed the United States Capitol Building,” Sund wrote in a statement.
“These individuals actively attacked USCP Officers and other uniformed law enforcement officers with metal pipes discharged chemical irritants, and took up other weapons against our officers. They were determined to enter the Capitol Building by causing great damage.”
The police chief also confirmed the death of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by an unidentified officer inside the Capitol. They’ve been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation.
“The violent attack on the US Capitol was unlike any I have ever experienced in my 30 years in law enforcement here in Washington, D.C. Maintaining public safety in an open environment – specifically for First Amendment activities – has long been a challenge. The USCP had a robust plan established to address anticipated First Amendment activities,” he wrote.
“But make no mistake – these mass riots were not First Amendment activities; they were criminal riotous behavior.
The actions of the USCP officers were heroic given the situation they faced, and I continue to have tremendous respect for the professionalism and dedication of the women and men of the United States Capitol Police,” Sund added.
Even with the deployment of the National Guard, many have criticized the actions of law enforcement compared with the heavy-handed tactics against 2020’s Black Lives Matter protestors.
“The USCP is conducting a thorough review of this incident, security planning, and policies and procedures,” Sund wrote.
The fallout of the Capitol Hill riot has seen calls from lawmakers for the immediate removal of Trump from office. Despite the demands, there’s no further indication of the 25th Amendment being invoked.