Capitol Police report warned Congress could be targeted three days before riot

Sarah Polus
The Hill
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 04:43 UTC

© UPI

Riot at the US Capitol

The Capitol Police sent an internal intelligence report three days before the deadly Capitol riot that warned of potential for violence, The Washington Post reports.

"Due to the tense political environment following the 2020 election, the threat of disruptive actions or violence cannot be ruled out," the 12-page report reads.

Instead of counterprotesters being the target of the rioters like in past presidential election protests that occurred in D.C., this time the Capitol would likely be the target, the report warned.

"Supporters of the current president see January 6, 2021, as the last opportunity to overturn the results of the presidential election. This sense of desperation and disappointment may lead to more of an incentive to become violent."

The report, which doesn't appear to have been shared widely with other law enforcement agencies, noted that prominent leaders on the right would be speaking at the "Stop the Steal" rally, predicted by the Capitol Police to be one of that larger events that day, according to the Post.

The report states:

"This combined with Stop the Steal's propensity to attract white supremacists, militia members, and others who actively promote violence, may lead to significantly dangerous situations for law enforcement and the general public alike."

Former Capitol Police chief Steven Sund, who resigned after the violent riot, expressed concern over insufficient security prior to Jan. 6:

"We looked at the intelligence. We knew we would have large crowds, the potential for some violent altercations. I had nothing indicating we would have a large mob seize the Capitol."

The Capitol Police also reportedly were warned of the potential for targeted violence at the Capitol by various lawmakers, including Reps. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).

The insurrection resulted in the deaths of five people, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.

Comment: Officer Sicknick had medical conditions, with no disclosure of cause or link to the Capitol riot.

See also:

• What the left wants to ignore about slain Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick
• DC Officer Sicknick's death driven by medical condition; reports of fire extinguisher attack unconfirmed

As threats of violence continue as the inauguration nears, Capitol Police have joined other agencies, including Secret Service and U.S. Park Police, in requesting an increase in the National Guard's presence in D.C.

The Capitol Police did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment.

Comment: The Capitol riot investigation may determine potential linkings of various officers/guards with specific actors in the crowd. It is unknown if the following is one of those scenarios:

Robert Bauer and his cousin Edward Hemenway, two men arrested in connection to the Capitol riot last week, admitted to agents that they were among the scores of people who entered the building on Jan. 6, according to a complaint filed Thursday.

Bauer, from Kentucky, told agents that he traveled with his wife to Washington, D.C., for the pro-Trump rally that day and they stayed with Hemenway in Virginia for part of the trip. All three said they attended the rally on Jan. 6 and joined the crowd in marching toward the Capitol.

Bauer and Hemenway each told investigators that after the men entered the Capitol, an officer shook their hands and said "it's your house now," according to the complaint.

A Capitol Police spokeswoman told The Hill that the department:

"is actively reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and policies. Our Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating these behaviors for disciplinary action, up to, and including, termination. Several USCP officers have already been suspended pending the outcome of their investigations."

Bauer and Hemenway appeared in federal court on Friday and both pleaded not guilty to trespassing and knowingly entering a restricted building or grounds, the Courier-Journal reported.

Bauer told officials in the complaint he entered the Capitol building to "occupy the space" and claimed he had no intentions of harming anyone. Hemenway said he entered out of "stupidity" and "curiosity" and that he didn't know Congress was in session at the time, though he said he did know lawmakers were certifying the Electoral College vote.