The construction of a barrier 2 meters high, “Impassable”, according to the authorities, began Thursday, January 7, around the Capitol in Washington. More than 6,000 soldiers from several states are expected on the outskirts of the federal capital and in the city, in the coming days. Twenty-four hours after the spectacular assault on the buildings of the US Congress by supporters of Donald Trump, politicians and police are trying to correct the obvious shortcomings that have allowed the intrusion of hundreds of people into the heart of this symbol of American democracy. They also intend to prevent new excesses as the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden is scheduled for January 20 in front of the Capitol.
While everyone is still trying to understand how such acts could have happened, the first heads fell Thursday afternoon: Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund was forced to resign, swept away by critics on the unpreparedness of its troops – some 2,000 men – in the face of a demonstration that had been planned for a long time. The sergeants-at-arms of the Senate and the House of Representatives will also be stepping down. The ease with which a violent mob was able to burst into this place of power stunned the country and the world. The strategy of this police force, placed directly under the responsibility of the American Congress, therefore found itself at the heart of the questions.
Images of the assault show police quickly overwhelmed, sometimes beaten, unable to contain the protesters behind simple metal barriers. Despite this violence, the officials responsible for the security of the premises did not use tear gas, paving the way for the attackers who, once this thin security cordon was crossed, were able to enter the building without opposition and even into the offices of elected officials. In the confusion, however, one of the police officers fired a shot, hitting a woman who succumbed to her injuries; he was suspended. One of the Capitol’s security guards, injured during the clashes, died a few hours later, Thursday evening, in hospital.
No device deployed
According to the Pentagon, the Capitol police had, in the previous days, declined its proposals to strengthen security around the building with the sending of soldiers. No additional device – barrier, gate, etc. – had been deployed. No intelligence service had considered such an attack. The Capitol Police Chief admitted he expected a ” demonstration “ and not to “Criminal riots”. The city police, who arrived first as reinforcements, were not enough.
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