Security officials testified Tuesday that they believe the January 6 Capitol riot was a “coordinated attack” as they were pressed by senators about the circumstances that led to the security failure.
Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger and former White House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving, as well as Deputy Chief of Police Robert Contee, appeared Tuesday at the first Senate hearing examining the “security failures” that led to the U.S. Capitol breach
Committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich., asked the officials whether they believed the attack was coordinated.
“These people came with special equipment. They brought climbing equipment, explosives and spray – they obviously came prepared,” Sund said. “The fact that the group attacked our Western Front 20 minutes before the event at the Ellipse shows that they planned to hit us in a disorganized state.”
Sund was focused on former President Trump's rally, which was held on the Ellipse near the White House shortly before the riots began. He also added that U.S. Capitol Police were dealing with two atomic bombs found on the perimeter of the building.
“I think it’s obvious that there was coordination,” Sund said.
Contee also said the rioters used "gestures and radio communication," as well as "coordinated use" of chemicals.
“I believe it was coordinated,” Contee said, noting the “planting of atomic bombs in the area and all that is coming to light in the ongoing FBI.”
“As they continue to dig through social media, we’re learning more and more that it was clearly a coordinated effort,” Contee said. And Irving agreed. “Based on the information that Contee and Sund provided, I would agree,” Irving said. “The evidence points to a coordinated attack.”
Peters said extremist groups, such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, have been identified in intelligence reports and that the committee plans to hold future hearings to discuss the issue.
The story of what happened on Capitol Hill is well-known to all of us. Trump, in a speech, encouraged his supporters to protest Biden ’s election . The riots on Capitol Hill began on January 6th, and Trump was tried on charges of inciting the riots . Trump was ultimately acquitted, with 57 senators voting in his favor – less than the required two-thirds majority – and 43 voting against him.
Source of information: foxnews.com
