Pelosi commented during her weekly news conference, following in the footsteps of Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, saying he would fire the current Senate Sergeant-at-Arms when he becomes majority leader.
“If Sergeant Arms of Senate Stenger has not yet vacated the position, I will fire him as soon as the Democrats have a majority in the Senate,” Schumer said in a statement.
Michael C. Stenger was appointed by Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, and Schumer was expected to eventually replace him when the chamber switched to the Democrats. But Schumer makes it clear that Stenger must resign or be fired following the events that took place, part of the growing response to the mob that stormed Capitol Hill.
Earlier Thursday, Capitol police leadership provided first details about the deadly incident that left lawmakers and staff fearing for their lives.
In a statement released Thursday morning, Police Chief Steven A. Sund described the violent actions of the rioters, saying police in the Capitol and other police officers were “actively attacked” with metal pipes and other weapons.
“They were determined to enter the Capitol building by inflicting heavy damage,” Sund said.
Capitol police shot at a mature woman as “protesters forced their way to the House of Representatives where members of Congress are hiding.” The woman was later pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital. The officer in question was placed on administrative leave pending a joint investigation with the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sund also said Capitol police were responding to reports of pipe bombs and a suspicious vehicle in the southeast corner of the Capitol, adding that Capitol police had determined that both devices were in fact dangerous and public safety major damage. can cause. ‘
The FBI is investigating the incident further.
Police in the Capitol have for the first time revealed that 13 people have been arrested for the “illegal entry” of the capital complex, in addition to the owner of the suspect vehicle. Police said additional charges could be filed pending further investigation.
More than 50 Capitol and metropolitan police were injured during Wednesday’s attack, and according to Sund, several were admitted to hospital with ‘serious injuries’.
“The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was different from what I experienced in my thirty years in law enforcement here in Washington, DC,” Sund said. “Maintaining public safety in an open environment – specifically for activities with the first amendment – has long been a challenge.”
Lawmakers say they are surprised by the lack of readiness among law enforcers, as it has been known for weeks that President Donald Trump is promoting a rally that he says was aimed at preventing the certification of Joe Biden’s victory.
Rep. Mike Quigley, an Illinois Democrat who was locked up in the living room during an armed altercation between Capitol police and a riot, praised the officers inside the building for protecting lawmakers. But Quigley made it clear that they were among the number of persons and that law enforcers were not prepared.
“The Capitol police where I was did an incredible job under difficult circumstances,” Quigley told CNN. “My concern was not about how brave the Capitol police were. It was that an hour before the debate started, I looked at the crowd of people around different parts of the Capitol – and said we did not have enough security. not. “
Quigley added: “I am no expert on security, but you may know that we were unmanned an hour before the debate,” referring to Congress’ proceedings to confirm Biden’s victory.
Others who were in the living room with Quigley also described the teasing scene. After a riot broke a door of the door to enter the room, several Capitol police pulled out their guns and warned the individual to return. An office and chairs were set up to enter the riot, but lawmakers could not know if the person was armed or had explosive devices that could have killed the scene.
“It was the closest I thought to it that there was a possibility I might die,” Rep. Raul Ruiz, a Democrat from California, said. “All we heard was the emotion and the intensity. At any moment, someone with a semi-automatic door could rush in.”
Immediately when there was a security breach, the top leaders, including Pelosi, were evacuated. Then the lower house legislators were evacuated. But there were 11 Democrats sitting at the top level of the chamber.
“That was one of those situations when you’re in the situation, what would your prayer be?” Ruiz said. “And I prayed. It was one of those moments where I said, ‘If you’re going to take me home, take me home.'”
This story was updated Thursday with additional developments.