US Capitol Riots: Members of Congress Request Investigation into ‘Suspicious’ Visitors

Extraordinary indictments have been brought against members of the United States Congress accused of taking Trump fans on “reconnaissance” missions through the Capitol building a day before the insurrection under the guise of “public visits.”

A group of about 30 members of Congress, led by Democrat Mikie Sherrill, has written to the Capitol Police requesting an investigation into the visitors allowed the day before the deadly riot, on January 5.

“Many of the members who signed this letter, including those who have served in the military and are trained to recognize suspicious activity, as well as various members of our staff, we witnessed an extremely high number of outside groups in the complex,” he added. Sherrill said.

“This is unusual for a number of reasons, including the fact that access to the Capitol Complex has been restricted since public tours ended in March last year due to the pandemic.”

The increase in visitors was so remarkable that it was reported to the sergeant at arms on January 5.

Yesterday, Sherrill claimed to have witnessed some Republican members of Congress leading visitors in what she called “reconnaissance” of the building. He did not specify which members of Congress he was referring to.

In a Facebook Live video, the former Navy helicopter pilot claimed she saw firsthand “members of Congress who had groups passing through the Capitol on January 5, an acknowledgment for the next day.”

The accusations came hours before Donald Trump became the first US president to be indicted a second time.

In her video, Sherrill detailed the gruesome events that unfolded when she and her colleagues attempted to certify the election as a crowd of Trump supporters tried to stop them.

“I think most of you know how proud I have always been to be an American,” she said. “And being a part of this great country. One of the things that is a birthright is our democracy … the peaceful transition of government.

“While I was sitting in the chamber of the Chamber, I began to receive reports on my phone. I heard that the building where the members have their offices across the street from the Capitol was being evacuated.

“I heard that there were crowds gathering … and that the vice president had been evacuated. Shortly after, I saw Nancy Pelosi, the speaker, being evacuated from our chamber. And then the doors were closed and locked. We tried to continue the debate, but that it became impossible as the crowd … started banging on the doors, so we were told to remove our gas masks in case we had to tear gas out.

“Then they told us we had to come down … because they were worried that an active shooter might enter the chamber. While I was on the floor I heard other members making calls home, fearing that this would be the last call I ever made. they made.

“I called my husband and told him I was fine. I told him I had to go and as I was preparing to leave the chamber, I noticed that a colleague … was having a little problem. I helped her down the stairs.

“We were worried, worried on every corner that we might find the mafia. I was later told that members of that mafia wore bridles and bulletproof vests and were willing to take prisoners.

“We arrived at the safe place and then, in an act that shows the bravery of so many members of this corps … while we were locked in the chamber by a mob of domestic terrorists who were violently trying to overthrow our ability to certify the election, they returned for hours. then to that same chamber so that we could finish the debate and certify the election.

“We had armed members of a mob incited by the president. Militias that the president of the United States called on Capitol Hill … to make sure we didn’t have a peaceful transition of power.”

He said he planned to hold accountable members of Congress who allegedly aided the mob.

“I also intend to see that the members of Congress who had groups that went through the Capitol on January 5, an acknowledgment for the next day, those members of Congress who tried to help the President undermine our democracy … I’m going to see that they are responsible. “

The Washington Post reported that several Capitol Police officers have been temporarily relieved of their duties amid investigations into alleged links to the rioters and for showing “inadequate support for last week’s attempted insurrection.”

– with Sam Clench