On Monday, an exclusive report stated that elite commando units with the power to shoot-to kill were stationed in Washington DC to defend Mike Pence, ex-Vice President, and Congress members who were certifying the results of the 2020 elections.
Newsweek reports that senior officials from multiple federal special forces units met one year ago to talk about contingency plans, threats, and other matters ahead of the Joint Session of Congress, where President Joe Biden won his election.
Jeffrey Rosen, the ex-Acting Attorney General, was reportedly the only one who decided to activate elite units at the Capitol Riot.
Monday was the last day that public information about contingency plans and their subsequent actions was available.
Trump approved a plan that gave law enforcement officers who make up the ‘catastrophic respond units’ broad authority to defend officials, even if this meant risking their lives.
Agents from the FBI’s Baltimore, Maryland Field Office, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, an FBI nuclear explosives rapid response team known as ‘Render Safe,’ as well as Special Response Teams from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the US Marshals Service Special Operations Group made up the units.
FBI swat teams and police officers patrolled the US Capitol, Washington DC on January 6th. According to a new report, Jeffrey Rosen was accused of creating plans for elite law enforcement units that would respond to a terror attack.
As the House continues to certify President-elect Joe Biden in Washington, on January 6, police from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Police (ATF), maintain security within the Senate’s halls.
Rosen’s unilateral decision does not mean that the US Capitol Police, Washington, DC Metro Police, members of Congress, nor the US Capitol Police requested the teams.
In May, the former Justice officer testified before a House panel about how his department was focusing on high-risk operations rather than crowd control.
Rosen stated to lawmakers that the DOJ had been prepared in a reasonable manner for contingencies prior to January 6 because there was uncertainty over how many people would arrive, their identities, and exactly what purpose they would pursue.
The groups were set up at Quantico FBI Academy about 30 miles away from the Capitol.
Teams were required to fly by helicopter to any terrorist attack or explosive incident.
Units were relocated to the downtown area of Washington on January 6th after intelligence showed a threat to FBI Headquarters and its Washington field office.
Trump had previously authorized federal agents to deploy to Capitol Hill with broad authority, including the ability to shoot to kill if needed. They were able to protect ex-Vice President Mike Pence from the intruders who broke into the Capitol.
Trump supporters falsely believed that the 2020 election results, which lawmakers were about to confirm, were fraudulent and marched up to the Capitol.
Reports say that FBI teams arrived early on Capitol Hill to examine evidence regarding explosives discovered near the Republican or Democrat national headquarters.
SWAT officers and snipers from the agency provided cover for nearby Congressional offices.
When Trump supporters attacked the Capitol, the Hostage Rescue Team was among the first to arrive at the scene.
The Capitol was reportedly secured by one of the underground areas of the compound. This team also assisted the present law enforcement with Pence and his families. According to reports, the vice president refused to leave and continued his position despite being urged by officers.
The report also claims that agents were used as “selective security” for Congress members who tried to avoid protesters.
Newsweek received information from FBI sources confirming that the military was present in DC metro area on January 6. However, it’s not clear how much they did or how well they coordinated with DOJ teams.