Press Releases

Washington, DC— Today, Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives Major General William J. Walker and Chief of the United States Capitol Police J. Thomas Manger briefed the Republican conference on the preparedness, current security posture and structure of the United State Capitol Police.

Congressman Jim Banks said: “I’d like to thank Major General Walker and Chief Manger for answering our questions today and I’d like to thank all USCP officers for keeping us safe every day.

Today’s meeting reaffirmed Republicans’ concerns about the top-heavy structure of the USCP and clarified necessary reforms to increase the independence of the Capitol Police.

A year ago, avoidable mistakes led to a security breakdown at the Capitol. Those mistakes can’t be repeated. Security decisions must be entrusted to security experts, not politicians.

Unfortunately, Democrats have put politics ahead of safety. Speaker Pelosi’s staff refuses to cooperate with the Senate’s investigation and the January 6^th Committee is refusing to seriously investigate the security breakdown at the Capitol.”

Key Takeaways from Briefing

• USCP Chief Manger confirmed that some security decisions are “above his pay grade.”
• Capitol Police leadership must have the authority to secure the Capitol in times of crisis.  
  • The recently passed Capitol Police Emergency Assistance Act of 2021 allows the USCP to call for the National Guard without approval from the Capitol Police Board. This necessary reform reaffirms the role of political influence in the delayed request for National Guard assistance on January 6^th.
• The magnetometers outside the House chamber deplete USCP resources that are needed elsewhere.
  • Many recent security decisions have increased the burden on overworked officers and do not make the Capitol safer. 
• Rep. Banks, senior Republican staff, and other Republican Members are interviewing USCP officers and other individuals with firsthand knowledge of the security posture at the Capitol on January 6 as part of Republicans’ investigation into the security failure that day. They will publicly release their findings and recommendations at the conclusion of their investigation. 

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