Washington Post: Capitol breach prompts urgent questions about security failures

[StarfishSaver]

Ya think?

The storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of President Trump’s supporters on Wednesday was a disastrous failure of security: In a city on high alert, in a building with its own 1,700-member police department, people forced their way into the sanctums of American democracy with nothing more than flagpoles, riot shields and shoves.

Nobody stopped them — and some officers were captured on videos appearing to stand back as rioters streamed inside.

On Wednesday, while police were still struggling to eject the last intruders from the Capitol, current and former law enforcement officials said it appeared the U.S. Capitol Police and other agencies had failed to anticipate the size and intentions of the crowd that Trump urged to march up Pennsylvania Avenue to where lawmakers were gathered.

On the streets of Washington, federal law enforcement agencies and the National Guard — which had been intimidatingly visible during protests this summer following the death of George Floyd — kept a much lower profile.

And at the Capitol itself, police had set out low barriers and officers were largely in street uniforms, not riot gear. All were prepared to confine a protest, but not to deter an attack, law enforcement officials said.

Law enforcement experts said they were mystified by the tactics that police used once the mob was already inside the Capitol.

One woman was shot and killed by Capitol police as officers tried to stop a group from penetrating the building, according to two law enforcement officials, who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe security operations. But other police seemed to stand by, observing the disorder instead of stopping it: One image posted on social media showed an officer taking a selfie with one of the intruders, and a video seemed to show officers opening the security fence to let Trump supporters closer.

Police did not appear to try to detain the rioters, allowing them to leave unhindered. One even held a woman’s hand to steady her on the Capitol steps.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/capitol-breach-security-failures/2021/01/06/e1e09b80-5061-11eb-b96e-0e54447b23a1_story.html

[Solly Mack]

1. No shit.

[LizBeth]

2. The cops literally opened the gates for them.

[StarfishSaver]

4. I am so shocked and disappointed by them

I've worked with the Capitol Police and was so impressed with them on 9/11 when they stepped up and performed beautifully and courageously to protect the Capitol complex and everyone on it.

I was certain that they were well prepared for today and there was no way they would let Trump's goons breach it. Watching the events today left me stunned and appalled.

I'm not as upset with most of the officers as the brass. While it looked like some of the officers just let people in - and that needs to be investigated and dealt with - it also looked like most of the others I saw were just overpowered, bum rushed, scared to death and didn't know what to do to stop the mobs - and had not been given any lethal force orders. It looks to me that the higher ups completely underestimated the possibility of a large, violent mob and didn't prepare or train anyone to deal with it.

It was a mess and we are all fortunate it didn't turn out any worse than it did. The fact that only one person was killed is a miracle.

[LizBeth]

6. I do not know I can buy tht starfish as I watched them gently escort these criminals out and took

selfies with them. I will kinda keep your perspective in mind, but I do not know I am buying it and regardless, not good enough. But thank you.

[StarfishSaver]

10. Not sure what you're not buying

Could you be more specific? Thanks.

[LizBeth]

11. I think there are many trumper cops allowed and were a part of this. They should be investigated

and fired and find out what happened.

[StarfishSaver]

13. I agree

There were definitely officers whose behavior was very suspicious.

But I still think, based on what I saw, many officers who were clearly just overwhelmed and didn't know what the hell to do. Rank and file Capitol Police really aren't trained for this kind of thing - they're more about crowd control and dealing with individual or small group attacks. But the fact they weren't prepared for this is a serious problem - and reason for some heads to roll. Either they should have been better trained and/or reinforcements should have been called in to provide backup. But it sounds like Capitol Police brass refused to ask for additional help, which is unforgiveable.

[LizBeth]

14. +1. There absolutely should have been more man power. I agree. Thanks for the info.

I didn't know brass refused more man power.

[underpants]

3. And not a single press conference or release yet

[StarfishSaver]

8. Isn't that interesting?

It's clear from this article and other reports I've gotten that Mayor Bowser and the Metro DC Police are FURIOUS. They were prepared for trouble and begged the federal agencies to step up, and offered to provide back up to Capitol Police and were rebuffed.

People need to know that this was a failure of FEDERAL law enforcement - Capitol Police, DHS, DOD, etc. - and not the fault of the DC police.

[brer cat]

5. If only they had been BLM peaceful protesters;

they would have been stopped, arrested, and quite possibly killed. It really hurts my soul that this example of white privilege occurred the day after GA elected a Black and a Jewish Senator. The more things change...

[herding cats]

7. One would almost think it was intentional. nt

[sheshe2]

9. We have no protections from terrorists domestic or abroad.

trump dismantled them all. We are on our own.

[UpInArms]

12. I found the lack of preparedness appalling

And unbelievable ...

As with josh hawley giving them a supportive fist ...

It was more like an invitation to do harm than a response to protect