According to Democratic lawmakers who oversee the Capitol Police two officers have been suspended due to their actions during Wednesday’s insurrection by pro-Trump supporters.
On Monday, Rep. Tim Ryan stated during a video call with reporters that officers had been suspended. An officer who took selfies with rioters and another officer who put on a red Trump hat while directing the rioters inside the complex were suspended.
Ryan went on to state that a third individual had been arrested, but he was at the time unsure if the individual was a member of the Capitol Police or D.C. National Guard.
Ryan then added that at least 15 other officers are currently being investigated. He gave no details of the behaviors that led to the investigations.
The news of the suspensions and firing comes amid several congressional panels and federal agencies opening probes into whether individuals that took an oath to protect the Capitol actually aided rioters during the siege. Lawmakers believe that individuals that helped rioters were complicit in the insurrection, which resulted in the deaths of 5 people, including one Capitol Police officer, who was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher.
Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, died from his injuries. His death has been ruled a murder by federal authorities. An investigation is underway.
Footage from that day shows that the majority of law enforcement put their lives on the line in an attempt to stop rioters, but there is also footage of officers opening a barrier and letting rioters onto the Capitol lawn. Of police posing for selfies with rioters and stepping out of the way and allowing rioters into the halls of Congress.
A House aide separately stated that there are as many as 17 officers currently under investigation as part of eight investigations into the insurrection at the Capitol.
On Monday night, Capitol Police acting Chief Yogananda Pittman stated that several officers were suspended.
Pittman stated that the department “has been actively reviewing video and other open-source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and policies. Our Office of Professional Responsibility will investigate these behaviors for disciplinary action, up to, and including termination. Several USCP officers have already been suspended pending the outcome of their investigations.”
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn is among several lawmakers that have questions about whether some Capitol Police officers aided the protesters and were complicit in Wednesday’s insurrection.
Clyburn stated that it was fishy that the rioters knew the locations of the lawmaker’s offices.
Videos that have circulated online show a Trump supporter taking a selfie with a Capitol Police officer near the Capitol entrance. Another video shows police letting rioters into the building.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat representing California, chairs a committee that oversees the Capitol Police stated that there would be investigations into those videos.
“A number of social media have indicated concerns about individual officers who, you know, if you look at the video, may have taken selfies with these seditionists or even let them in,” Lofgren said. “We need to thoroughly investigate that, but I also know there were many officers who responded with tremendous bravery. Many officers were injured protecting the Capitol and we do thank them for their patriotism in protecting this temple of democracy.”
Reportedly, at least seven officers in five other departments across the country are subjects of internal investigations because of their presence during the insurrection.
One officer in New York one in Philadelphia, two in Seattle, two in Virginia, and one in Texas are currently being investigated by their departments over potential violations of rules and regulations. Some departments have been contacted by the FBI as part of their criminal investigation into the siege of the Capitol.
