Trump

[Haibane]

The Capitol Police department was 100% a complicit participant in what went on.

That assertion cannot stand. There is ample video evidence of numerous police officers defending the barriers early on until they were overrun and trying to secure doors and hallways later as the crowds entered. It is quite clear that some officers tried to do their duty as best they could. While there is still deep confusion over what transpired there are always suspicions over what exactly took place and how or who enabled it (from both sides) and at what level. Lets discuss events and propose theories but please lets not make patently false assertions.

[Haibane]

Two zip-tie equipped rioters in Capitol building identified and arrested.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55626148

[Haibane]

National Guard troops billeted in the Capitol today. Some of them of course are tourists too and have never been inside the building. A group of black soldiers have their photograph taken in front of the statue of Rosa Parks.

https://twitter.com/ESCochrane/status/1349371666481217544

[TheGlyphstone]

Apparently the panic buttons were 'torn out' of some lawmakers' offices in advance of the attack.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/13/nation/it-was-like-looking-evil-capitol-attack-through-eyes-massachusetts-delegation/

“Every panic button in my office had been torn out — the whole unit,” she said, though they could come up with no rationale as to why. She had used them before and hadn’t switched offices since then. As they were escorted to several different secure locations, Groh and Pressley and her husband tried to remain calm and vigilant — not only of rioters but of officers they did not know or trust, she said.

[Chulanowa]

That assertion cannot stand. There is ample video evidence of numerous police officers defending the barriers early on until they were overrun and trying to secure doors and hallways later as the crowds entered. It is quite clear that some officers tried to do their duty as best they could. While there is still deep confusion over what transpired there are always suspicions over what exactly took place and how or who enabled it (from both sides) and at what level. Lets discuss events and propose theories but please lets not make patently false assertions.

As I said,

I'm sure that there are individual officers who did their best to protect the hands that feed them,

The USCPD refused federal assistance. It did not contact congress at any point. The officers had standing orders to not do anything except stand by the barricades. They were not kitted to any degree. Information from the FBI and other police departments was totally ignored.

Whatever actions the individual officers took, the DEPARTMENT was so far beyond incompetent that complicity is the only explanation. Even if, IF, it was genuine incompetence is behind it, that incompetence was brought about by a collection of biases that still effectively amount to complicity. if the department that famously beat the hell out of people in wheelchairs for conducting a sit-in looked at people threatening to murder senators and said "these good ol' boys ain't meaning no harm," then... well that's what it is. Complicity. If the police departments are assuming white supremacists threatening to attack and kill members of the Us government are "harmless" then there's no way to read that except as such.

[Oniya]

Trump's second impeachment has begun.

Also, Rep. Mikie Sherril and more than 30 other Congress members have submitted a request that the acting Sergeants-at-arms, and the USCP investigate the unusual number of visitors to the Capitol on January 5, 2021, and the unusual amount of access these people were given. (Source)

images of the request, spoilered for size

[TheHangedOne]

I love Takei.

[Iniquitous]

Impeached again.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/house-trump-impeachment-vote-01-13-21/index.html

[Beorning]

Also, Rep. Mikie Sherril and more than 30 other Congress members have submitted a request that the acting Sergeants-at-arms, and the USCP investigate the unusual number of visitors to the Capitol on January 5, 2021, and the unusual amount of access these people were given. (Source)

Who are Sergeants-at-arms? I'm picturing Space Marines with big halberds, but I suspects it's not fully on point...

[Haibane]

They are the officers in command of the senate and representatives police.

Also... wonderful news. I am thinking if the sedition charge sticks then its much easier to charge the rioters with that as well.

[Vekseid]

10 Republicans voted to impeach.

It's a start, I guess.

[gaggedLouise]

I love Takei.

Agree, he's spot on.

[Beorning]

It's really great news. But I'm also worried that, tomorrow, Trump will throw a self-pardon at everyone's faces and that'll be it...

[Haibane]

That would only lower his standing even further. We also do not know if a self-pardon is possible. I suspect there would be an extremely strong case to say it isn't.

[RedPhoenix]

I love Takei.

Glad more people are finally getting this.

[Haibane]

From the BBC.

The police chief of Houston, Texas, has announced that an 18-year veteran of the city's police force was among those that illegally "penetrated" the Capitol during last week's riot.

Chief Art Acevedo said the officer had been relieved of his duties and notified that he will face a disciplinary hearing. Acevedo said there was a "high probability" the officer will face federal charges.

"I can’t tell you the anger I feel at the thought of a police officer and other police officers thinking they get to go storm the Capitol," he told a news conference.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-55645957

The report makes me wonder how an 18-year old can be a "veteran". I wouldn't even say a 28 year old could be a veteran.

[Regina Minx]

From the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-55645957

The report makes me wonder how an 18-year old can be a "veteran". I wouldn't even say a 28 year old could be a veteran.

He’s been on the force for eighteen years, not eighteen years old.

[Caela]

It's really great news. But I'm also worried that, tomorrow, Trump will throw a self-pardon at everyone's faces and that'll be it...

Impeachment charges are the one thing Presidents are specifically NOT allowed to pardon.

[HairyHeretic]

Impeachment charges are the one thing Presidents are specifically NOT allowed to pardon.

I think the talk has more been around the charges relating to the mob in the capitol a few days ago. A blanket "all charges relating to activities in or around the Capitol on this date" kinda thing. Pardons for all the mob, regardless of what the investigations turn up.

I suspect if he did that he'd sink his name and brand even further though, and I doubt he cares if a few hundred people end up in jail because of him. Losing his own business capital would have much more of a personal impact.

[Haibane]

He’s been on the force for eighteen years, not eighteen years old.

Oops, my bad. Thanks.

[Haibane]

I suspect if he did that he'd sink his name and brand even further though, and I doubt he cares if a few hundred people end up in jail because of him. Losing his own business capital would have much more of a personal impact.

The Trump brand is going down the tubes at the speed of a well-flushed turd already. He almost has nothing left to lose.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/12/deutsche-bank-severs-ties-with-donald-trump

[HairyHeretic]

The Trump brand is going down the tubes at the speed of a well-flushed turd already. He almost has nothing left to lose.

That's not exactly encouraging. Someone with nothing to lose is way more dangerous than someone who does have things to lose.

[Oniya]

Charges have been upgraded against the guy who put his feet up on Pelosi's desk.

https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-man-arrested-in-us-capitol-siege-makes-1st-court-appearance

...a criminal complaint against Barnett had been amended to note that he was carrying a stun gun when he broke into the Capitol. A charge against him was enhanced to entering a restricted building without lawful authority while carrying a dangerous weapon.

[Caela]

Charges have been upgraded against the guy who put his feet up on Pelosi's desk.

https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-man-arrested-in-us-capitol-siege-makes-1st-court-appearance

I hope they throw every statute they can find to throw at these people. In this guys case, silly as it is, I'd throw in tampering with the mail since he actually stole mail from her office.

[Caela]

I think the talk has more been around the charges relating to the mob in the capitol a few days ago. A blanket "all charges relating to activities in or around the Capitol on this date" kinda thing. Pardons for all the mob, regardless of what the investigations turn up.

I suspect if he did that he'd sink his name and brand even further though, and I doubt he cares if a few hundred people end up in jail because of him. Losing his own business capital would have much more of a personal impact.

That makes sense. I've seen a number of people concerned he'd pardon himself and read the post wrong.