|
I encourage you to read the Senate's comprehensive report on the Capitol attack, released earlier this month: https://www.rules.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Jan%206%20HSGAC%2... There was incompetence and miscommunication at every level of the multi-agency, multi-layer bureaucracy in charge of protecting the Capitol. For example: "In at least once instance, USCP protective shields were locked in a bus during the riot so that a CDU platoon was unable to access them, and as a result, the platoon was required to respond to the crowd without the protection of their riot shields." Worse: "USCP officers, for example, were given defective riot shields that had been improperly stored and, as a result, shatter[ed] upon impact." Planners thought the Jan. 6 rally would "be similar to the previous Million MAGA March rallies" in which participants stayed in the designated areas, and violence was only provoked by counter-protestors. Given attendees' vocal support for police and years of prior peaceful rally behavior, I understand their assumption. In hindsight they were clearly mistaken, and their lack of preparation for every contingency was inexcusable. The report describes general incompetence, complacency, and failures of communication. It does not describe favoritism or cooperation with the far-right. It does not show that Trump or his subordinates obstructed the National Guard deployment. In fact, on Jan. 4 call with DC officials, acting Secretary of Defense Miller "suggested locking down D.C. to avoid potential violence; however, the idea was not pursued." The Guard was only requested to provide aid at the Capitol at the last minute. |