The Capitol Police chief's authority in times of crisis should be increased, according to a controversial Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach review undertaken by retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré and his task force.
Other recommendations include the deployment of a mobile fencing option, an upgrade in member security, and changes in how regional law enforcement interact, Roll Call reported Monday.
Honoré, who coordinated relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, was chosen by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in January to look into improving security at the Capitol complex. But Republicans, such as Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., have blasted the decision considering Honoré's previous comments, including that Capitol cops "allowed their buddies" to ignore police lines.
"General Honoré has issued a number of the delusional rants that would disqualify him from even a jury pool on these questions, and yet he's in charge of this review," Gaetz said earlier this month.
Congressional hearings since the breach have shown the structure of the Capitol Police Board to be inefficient and in need of an overhaul, especially after former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund stated it was difficult to get approval from the board for National Guard assistance as the crowd encroached on the Capitol.
It was also revealed Maj. Gen. William Walker, the commander of the D.C. National Guard, was not given permission to send troops to the Capitol until some 3 hours after the complex was breached.
Honoré concluded the law should be changed to give the Capitol Police chief the authority to ask for help from other law enforcement agencies and the National Guard without needing the approval of the Capitol Police Board in "extraordinary emergency circumstances, when necessary to prevent the loss of life or wanton destruction of property and to restore governmental functions and public order."
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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