Committees Open Review of Insurrection at Capitol and Threats to Stop Peaceful Transition of Power
Committees Send Requests for Documents and Briefings to FBI, DHS, NCTC and ODNI
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence requesting relevant documents and briefings as part of a review of the events and intelligence surrounding the insurrection on January 6th incited by President Trump, and related threats against the nation’s peaceful transition of power, including the Inauguration.
The Committees plan to review what the Intelligence Community and federal law enforcement knew about the threats of violence, whether that information was shared or not, and whether the threats had any nexus to foreign influence or misinformation efforts. Additionally, the Committees plan to examine whether any current or former holders of security clearances or those who held positions involving U.S. national security, defense, justice or homeland security participated in the insurrection. Finally, the Committees will examine the federal response to the insurrection and domestic violent extremism in the wake of this attack.
In the letter, Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA), Committee on Homeland Security Chair Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) wrote:
The Committees will conduct robust oversight to understand what warning signs may have been missed, determine whether there were systemic failures, and consider how to best address countering domestic violent extremism, including remedying any gaps in legislation or policy.
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Security and logistical preparations before January 6 were not consistent with the prospect of serious and widespread violence. Yet, according to media accounts that have surfaced in recent days, federal and other authorities earlier on possessed — and may have shared with some parties — intelligence and other information forecasting a dire security threat against the Congress’s meeting to certify the election results. These latter reports, if acted upon, might have prompted more extensive planning for the event, and the infusion of far greater security and other resources.
Tragically that did not happen.
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This still-emerging story is one of astounding bravery by some U.S. Capitol Police and other officers; of staggering treachery by violent criminals; and of apparent and high-level failures — in particular, with respect to intelligence and security preparedness.
The full letter can be found here.
Press Contact
Patrick Boland (Intelligence): (202) 225-4176
Adam Comis (Homeland Security): (202) 225-9978
Shadawn Reddick-Smith (Judiciary): (202) 225-3951
Aryele Bradford (Oversight and Reform): (202) 226-5181
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