DeLauro Statement on Appropriations Briefing on January 6 Security Failures

House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) released the following statement after the Committee held a full committee briefing with agencies involved in the response to the insurrection on January 6:

“The breach of the United States Capitol on January 6 was one of the darkest days in American history. Today, we learned that the attack on the People’s House was preventable and that the government agencies tasked with keeping our country safe failed in their most basic responsibilities.

“Former President Trump and his mob are overwhelmingly responsible for the attack on the Capitol, putting Members of Congress, staff, Capitol employees, and even law enforcement at risk. However, it is now obvious that intelligence agencies had ample evidence an angry mob would descend on Washington, with Congress’ meeting to certify the presidential election as the intended target. The law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting the Capitol did not act on this intelligence or adequately prepare for the looming threat. There were also profoundly troubling lapses in coordination, particularly as it relates to the deployment of the National Guard, which prevented a speedy response once the threat materialized. More generally, there is the disturbing matter of how the law enforcement response to peaceful Black Lives Matter protests was so much more stringent than the response to this dangerous threat.

“Former President Trump’s actions can be addressed by the United States Senate disqualifying him from holding future office. The violent rioters must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, to comprehensively protect the seat of government, meaningful reforms are critical. We will continue to pursue answers to the questions that we did not cover today. Fortified by the information before us, the Appropriations Committee will work diligently to support and oversee these essential changes.”

Background: Today’s full committee briefing today included the Acting Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, the Acting Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives, the former Secretary of the Army, the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, the Acting Chief of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Park Police, the Assistant Director of the U.S. Secret Service, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office (WFO) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After statements from the briefers, Members had the opportunity to ask questions of the briefers. Because of the law enforcement sensitive nature of the information discussed, the briefing was restricted to Members and senior staff.