House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Monday, demanding answers on key security decisions made in the days leading up to the January 6 Capitol breach in Washington, D.C.
House Administration Committee Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-IL) House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-OH) House Oversight Committee Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY), and House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Devin Nunes (R-CA) signed the letter to Pelosi, saying that “many important questions” about her “responsibility for the security” of the Capitol on January 6 “remain unanswered.”
The questions, as listed in the letter, are as follows:
As reported by Fox News:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office fired back at House Republicans on Monday who demanded answers regarding security decisions leading up to and on the day of the Capitol riot last month, saying they are “clearly” trying to “deflect responsibility for the Capitol attack from Donald Trump”.
But Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, told Fox News that the speaker “has and will continue to take action to ensure accountability and enhance the security of the Capitol.” Continued Below
“Two of the four House Republican ranking members voted to overturn the results of a fair election, just hours after the Capitol was sacked by an insurrectionist, right-wing mob – a mob incited by Trump,” Hammill said. “A full 65% of House Republicans joined them in voting to undermine our democracy. All four ranking members also voted against holding Donald Trump accountable for inciting the mob.”
Hammill added: “Clearly, the security of our Capitol and democracy are not the priorities of these ranking members.”
“It is the job of the Capitol Police Board, on which these three individuals sat, to properly plan and prepare for security threats facing the U.S. Capitol,” Hammill said. “It has been reported that the House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving has said that he did not present to House leadership any request for the National Guard before Jan. 6.”
Hammill noted that the committees of jurisdiction were briefed “in advance of Jan. 6 about security preparedness.”
“During a briefing of the Appropriations Committee Majority on Jan. 5 by the House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and U.S. Capitol Police Chief Sund both Chief Sund and Mr. Irving provided assurances that the Capitol Complex had comprehensive security and there was no intelligence that groups would become violent at the Capitol during the certification of electoral votes,” Hammill explained. “It is our understanding that ranking member Davis was also briefed, but took no action to address any security concerns that he might have had.” Continued Below
Davis’ office, in response, told Fox News that “no one is alleging that Ranking Member Davis denied a request for the national guard ahead of January 6th because he would not have the authority to do so even if he had been made aware of the request, which he was not.”
“Following the insurrection, the speaker immediately tasked Gen. Honoré with leading an immediate security review of the U.S. Capitol Complex and has called for a 9/11-style Commission to investigate, with legislation creating such a panel to be introduced in the coming days,” Hammill said. “The USCP is also conducting an internal security review.”
The House Judiciary GOP responded in a tweet Monday, alleging, “Speaker Pelosi failed to secure the Capitol on January 6th. Her office knows it. And they’re mad we called them out.”
Speaker Pelosi failed to secure the Capitol on January 6th. Her office knows it. And they’re mad we called them out. https://t.co/CM8d6n9E4e
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 15, 2021
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) tweeted, “Pelosi deflecting from legitimate questions about her handling of security posturing leading up to and through the Capitol riot. Maybe she should start by answering this letter…”
Pelosi deflecting from legitimate questions about her handling of security posturing leading up to and through the Capitol riot. Maybe she should start by answering this letter from @Jim_Jordan, @RepDevinNunes, @RepJamesComer, and @RodneyDavis https://t.co/xWDDGSjAik https://t.co/zgI417rXZR
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 15, 2021
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Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) weighed in, writing, “We still don’t have answers to the most fundamental questions as to why the security was so unprepared and inadequate. Speaker Pelosi wants to blame Donald Trump but refuses to address her own role in this tragedy!”
Over a month has passed since the January 6 Capitol riot…
And we still don't have answers to the most fundamental questions as to why the security was so unprepared and inadequate.
Speaker Pelosi wants to blame Donald Trump but refuses to address her own role in this tragedy! https://t.co/RWVTjiCFCA
— Rep. Jody Hice (@CongressmanHice) February 15, 2021
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) listed details, suggesting Pelosi is not being honest:
On January 7th, Speaker Pelosi claimed that the Capitol Police Chief hadn’t called since the attack.
We now know that’s not true.
Chief Sund briefed Pelosi’s team twice during the attack!
First at 5:36 p.m. and again at 6:25 p.m.https://t.co/ctOWZ4PExw
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) February 15, 2021
