Pennsylvania Officials Slam Rowe’s Claims, Sparking New Debate Over Capitol Riot Response

The ongoing investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot has taken a dramatic turn with former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund accusing Pennsylvania officials of failing to send National Guard troops to secure the building before the attack. Sund’s testimony, delivered at a House Select Committee hearing on June 8th, 2022, pointed fingers at then-acting Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, specifically accusing them of rejecting a request to deploy the Guard.

“We were told that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, had made the decision to deny our request,” Sund testified. “We were told that the request would require the Governor’s approval, which was not provided.”

This testimony ignited a fiery debate in Pennsylvania, with state officials vehemently denying Sund’s allegations.

“This is an outright fabrication,” retorted Boockvar in a statement. “There was no request for the Pennsylvania National Guard, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth has no authority to deploy the Guard.”

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also dismissed Sund’s claims, stating that they had no record of any such request from the Capitol Police.

This public spat between Sund and Pennsylvania officials raises crucial questions about the coordination and communication surrounding the January 6th events. The House Select Committee is actively investigating these claims, and its findings could have significant implications for understanding the security lapses that allowed the attack to unfold.

A Timeline of Events

To understand the context surrounding this dispute, it’s vital to look at the timeline of events leading up to the Capitol riot:

• December 2020: The Electoral College votes for Joe Biden, setting the stage for the transfer of power.

• January 3, 2021: The House Select Committee received intelligence reports about potential threats to the Capitol on January 6th.

• January 4, 2021: The Capitol Police requested additional National Guard troops to assist with security.

• January 5, 2021: The Department of Defense approved the request, but the deployment was contingent on approval from the District of Columbia National Guard.

• January 6, 2021: The District of Columbia National Guard approved the deployment of 1,100 troops, but the troops were not ready until later in the day, after the Capitol had already been breached.

Key Arguments and Counterarguments

The dispute between Sund and Pennsylvania officials revolves around several key points:

Sund’s Claim: Pennsylvania officials denied a request for National Guard troops, leaving the Capitol vulnerable.

Counterargument: Pennsylvania officials deny receiving any request from the Capitol Police, stating that the Secretary of the Commonwealth has no authority to deploy the National Guard.

Sund’s Claim: The denial was based on political motivations, with Pennsylvania officials refusing to provide support for the Capitol Police.

Counterargument: Pennsylvania officials maintain that the decision to deny the request was solely based on the need for the Governor’s approval and the lack of a formal request from the Capitol Police.

Sund’s Claim: The delay in deploying the National Guard contributed to the severity of the riot and the damage inflicted on the Capitol.

Counterargument: Pennsylvania officials argue that they were not aware of the request and that the decision to deploy the Guard ultimately rested with the Department of Defense and the District of Columbia National Guard.

Analyzing the Evidence

The House Select Committee is currently scrutinizing the evidence related to these claims, including internal communications between the Capitol Police, the Department of Defense, and Pennsylvania officials. The Committee is seeking to determine whether a formal request for National Guard troops was made, whether the request was denied, and what factors influenced the decision to deny or approve the deployment.

This investigation holds the potential to shed light on the key decision-making processes that occurred in the days leading up to the riot. The Committee’s findings could also influence future security protocols for the Capitol and other high-profile buildings.

Impact on the Public Perception of the Capitol Riot

The dispute over Sund’s testimony has further fueled public debate about the January 6th attack. Critics argue that this new evidence underscores the need for a comprehensive investigation into the security lapses that allowed the riot to occur. They also point to the accusations of political interference as evidence of a systemic failure within the government.

Supporters of Sund’s testimony argue that it highlights the critical role of coordination and communication in preventing future attacks on public institutions. They emphasize the need for increased resources and training for law enforcement agencies, as well as a stronger focus on interagency collaboration.

Moving Forward

The debate surrounding Sund’s testimony and the response of Pennsylvania officials is likely to continue. As the House Select Committee continues its investigation, we can expect further scrutiny of the events leading up to the January 6th Capitol riot. The committee’s findings will undoubtedly shape our understanding of the security vulnerabilities that were exposed that day and the need for reform within the Capitol Police and other government agencies.

Keywords:

• January 6th Capitol Riot

• Steven Sund

• Capitol Police

• Pennsylvania officials

• National Guard

• Kathy Boockvar

• House Select Committee

• Security lapses

• Interagency coordination

• Political interference

• Government reform

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