Law enforcement officials responsible for U.S. Capitol security during the Jan. 6 attack blamed their inadequate defense on incomplete intelligence, and they offered differing accounts of why it took so long to call in National Guard reinforcements to repel the rioters.
The officials, three of whom resigned after the riot, spoke at a joint Senate hearing Tuesday that failed to shed light on the intelligence failures beforehand and delays in the Defense Department response. Senators plan to call witnesses next week from several federal agencies, including the Pentagon as the panels continue to seek accountability and improved security at the U.S. Capitol.
Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, former Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Michael Stenger, former House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving as well as District of Columbia acting Police Chief Robert Contee said their planning was based on intelligence predicting mere civil disobedience by former President Donald Trump’s supporters. They were not prepared for the protest to turn into an insurrection.