One big mystery remains unsolved: Why was the Capitol left unguarded?

[marmar]

One big mystery remains unsolved: Why was the Capitol left unguarded?
The Capitol Police have more than 2,000 officers and a $500 million budget. Who prevented them from stopping this?

By DAN FROOMKIN
JANUARY 15, 2021 11:00AM


(Salon) There is so much going on these days. But what I keep coming back to is that if the Capitol Police had been anything close to properly mobilized, none of it would have happened.

There would have been a protest on January 6, not an insurrection. Five people wouldn't be dead. Members of Congress and Capitol staff wouldn't have been terrorized. Donald Trump wouldn't be impeached.

All but for a still inexplicable decision made by who-knows-who.

Because we still don't know how it was allowed to happen.

....(snip)....

Speaks to motive

I have tried to consider the possibility that it was just gross incompetence. But no one could really be that incompetent.

So at this point, in the absence of any other plausible explanations, it is more than reasonable to assume that the people making decisions about Capitol Police deployment that day felt kinship with the Trump mob, and either were too racist to see the threat posed by Trump supporters or looked the other way on purpose. .............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2021/01/15/one-big-mystery-remains-unsolved-why-was-the-capitol-left-unguarded/

[malaise]

1. Truth will out

and they will all be exposed.

[Pachamama]

4. Agreed

And when the truth and information comes out, it will be shocking and horrific and I believe show this was planned and deliberate and aided and abetted by the Executive Branch.

[malaise]

7. Correct is

Right and it wll be so shocking that impeachment and removal will look tame

[Pachamama]

11. Trump loved being Commander in Chief of the Military

He will be so grateful he doesn't fall under the Military Uniformed Code of Justice for Sedition and Treason and Insurrection

Impeachment and removal is tame to what he deserves and earned.

[malaise]

17. How did they ever let this monster achieve power

I will go to my grave asking that question.

[Evolve Dammit]

35. He's the messiah. Seriously, they really think that.

[Jetheels]

57. Timing and technology. He took control of the 2016 election.

He had years of experience in front of a camera on The Apprentice.
Years of expertise controlling the narrative with birtherism on social media.
And the groundwork of racism, homophobia, and other ism’s and phobias had been laid for decades by Fox News, breitbart, funding from billionaires- Mercers, Koch’s, Adelson, religious organizations, etc.
I think humans just make no sense a lot of the time.
We live in so many realities at a time. No other animal get lost in books, movies, the past, the future, invent things that don’t exist.....so reality is kind of tenuous. He understands that reality can be manipulated, invented. Why he will never concede or admit failure or wrongdoing.

[malaise]

59. Interesting assessment

[Jetheels]

61. Thanks....I think about this stuff way to much lol. n/t

[malaise]

63. Though assessments require intergenerational thinking

For example I just read that Speaker Pelosi is bringing in Honore to review security
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214931796
Sure he'll understand the logistical operations but he's too old to understand the cyber part of this new reality.
There are things that are beyond my generation.

[kiri]

49. Trump started the march illegally

The Capitol police did not expect a march!

See:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214930521

https://www.gregpalast.com/insider-white-house-warned-march-was-illegal/

[malaise]

50. Saw that

He is lawless and shameless

[dianaredwing]

56. I have to say

This makes the most sense of anything I have read. Obviously it was an enormous shit show that got worse as everyone tried to evade blame, but those of us who follow rules, such as getting a permit to march, never think that others don't. No one would have suspected that these idiots did not have a permit. Everyone has to get a permit. And, there is probably not just one person involved in the permit process so everyone thinks someone else did it. By the time anyone knew what was happening it was so far out of control that there couldn't be a coordinated response. The whole thing is even better than doing it by the rules, at least if you don't get caught.

[Tommymac]

51. Natty keep on comin' throuh

[malaise]

52. Can't see the video

but I guess it's Ride Natty Ride

[Tommymac]

54. Yes it is.

Dready got a job to do
And he's got to fulfill that mission
To see his hurt is their greatest ambition, yeah!
But we will survive in this world of competition
'Cause no matter what they do
Natty keep on comin' through
And no matter what they say
Natty do them every day, yeah!
Natty dread rides again
Through the mystics of tomorrow
Natty dread rides again
Have no fear, have no sorrow, yeah!
All and all you see a-gwan
Is to fight against Rastaman
So they build their world in great confusion
To force on us the devil's illusion
But the stone that the builder refuse
Shall be the head cornerstone
And no matter what game they play
We got something they could never take away
We got something they could never take away
And it's the fire (fire), it's the fire (fire)
That's burning down everything
Feel that fire (fire), the fire (fire)
Only the birds have their wings, yeah!
No time to be deceived
Oh, brothers, you should know and not believe
Jah say this judgement, it could never be with water
No water could put out this fire (fire)
This fire (fire), this fire (fire)
This fire (fire), a yaga y'all! ride, natty, ride!
Go there, dready, go there,
'Cause now the fire is out of control
Panic in the city, wicked weeping for their gold!
Everywhere this fire is burning,
Destroying and melting their gold,
Destroying and wasting their souls
Go ride, natty, ride!
Go there, dready, go there!
Tell you what now the people gather on the beach
And the leader try to make a speech
But the dreadies understandin' that it's too late
Fire is burning
Man, pull your own weight!
Fire is burning
Man, pull your own weight!
Natty dread rides again (natty dread rides again)
And me say, go there, dready! Go there! (go there, go there)
Oh ride, natty, ride! (dread rides again)
And go there, dready! (go there, go there)
Ridin' through the storm,
Riding through the calm (go there, go there)
Oh ride, natty, ride!
Go there, dready, go there!
Ride, natty, ride!
Go there, dready, do there!
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bob Marley
Ride Natty Ride lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group

[malaise]

55. LOL

I know my Marley

[dalton99a]

2. 2,300 officers and a $516 million budget - more than the police budgets of Atlanta and Detroit

[Wednesdays]

22. Indeed...

Link to tweet

?s=20

[marble falls]

3. No mystery at all. Trump.

[groundloop]

28. Gotta' ask the question... "who believed they had something to gain from this?"

And there's only one answer to that question - Benedict Donald

[Demovictory9]

5. and why was the rally crowd allowed to bring body armor, military helmets, sticks

in the presence of the president? When president's come to town, the crowd is searched upon entry to event

[appalachiablue]

30. +1

[BusyBeingBest]

39. That's a good question. Did the Trump rally allow all the gear and flags and unsearched

backpacks, or were those grabbed or distributed from private vehicles afterward? Need to look at rally photos to see what the crowd had. If this was the first time these items were allowed in a Trump event, then they've got some explaining to do.

[BusyBeingBest]

41. It occurs to me that the REAL stormers maybe weren't at the rally at all.

The people who showed up with mace, weapons, tactical gear, etc. The oath keeper/proud boy types. Maybe they just joined the crowd after the rally.

[mtngirl47]

48. I read somewhere on DU earlier in the week that they left the elipse

and went to get their backpacks and weapons (also known as flagpoles) before they headed to the Capitol.

Sorry---can't find a link.

[Lil Mushakan]

71. I'll have to find the reports but

I know many outlets were reporting interviews with some of the terrorists and they were being told that the insurrectionists were leaving the march, going to their cars, and returning with weapons.

[Squinch]

6. It was planned with the full knowledge and support of Donny Bodybags.

[hot2na]

42. Donnie Two Times

Been impeached two times.

[question everything]

8. This is why we need an investigating committee. So that it will never happen again

[MineralMan]

9. LIHOP

[lagomorph777]

20. MIHOP

[davekriss]

23. O noes! The old LIHOP vs MIHOP debates!

[My Pet Orangutan]

44. CUHOP

Cock Ups Happen on Purpose.

My take on that debate.

[niyad]

33. MIHOP, no question.

[davekriss]

21. Now there's a term I haven't heard in a while

I’ve always thought GWB LIHOP. Now we have a Trump and/or DC administration LIHOP.

[tanyev]

10. Marking to read later.

[kentuck]

12. I don't think it was unguarded.

I think there was plenty of intelligence that the danger was there. They were not prepared. There was a lack of imagination, just like 9/11. They had no strategy to deal with it. They chose not to use lethal force once they made it to the Capitol steps.

I think there was an epic failure of security but I'm not sure that it was because it was unguarded?

[exboyfil]

18. Lightly guarded

With some of the guards being Quislings. Given an officer died, I got to imagine those Quislings aren't to popular right now.

[groundloop]

34. Based on what I've read I have to disagree (but I hope I'm wrong)

It's pretty damned horrific to think that this attempted coup was planned, but some of the news that I've read seems to support that supposition.

One thing that stands out is an interview with a Capitol Police officer who works the night shift. He said he was fully expecting to be working overtime that day, yet was told not to come in. Also there's the National Guard assistance that was initially refused. It all might just be a bad coincidence, but it sure doesn't smell like it.

[Demsrule86]

13. I read where the 'protest' leaders including Trump were informed the march was illegal.

They told the DC policy there would be no march and the DC police and capitol police were not prepared.

[exboyfil]

15. Should we give the GOP a chance for an impeachment vote do over?

Assuming it is true. It came from a freelance journalist Greg Palast so I don't know if the story has been vetted in any way.

[Cbus Girl]

47. I read that as well

And thought it sounded like they were floating that out there to see if it would stick.

[exboyfil]

14. One of the Sgt At Arms in the presence

of Congress critters said "I wish I had retired last week".

[lagomorph777]

16. "reasonable to assume that the people making decisions ... that day felt kinship with the Trump mob"

Not only decisions about the Capitol Police, but the National Guard and other available reinforcements such as Metropolitan Police Department. The lack of reinforcements was no accident, and we already know that Trump specifically blocked the National Guard. That needs to be loudly emphasized in his impeachment trial (and in subsequent criminal trials).

[Bernardo de La Paz]

25. Sund is a tRump loyalist. . . . nt

[mshasta]

19. Trump wanted that way

[Bernardo de La Paz]

24. $500 million / 2000 officers $250,000 per officer per year. That's a lot of overhead. . . . nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. LIHOP OR MIHOP. One or the other. the truth needs to be found.

[Evolve Dammit]

37. OK. I give up. Please explain acronyms.

[justgamma]

45. Let it happen on purpose or made it happen on purpose. n/t

[Evolve Dammit]

46. Hmm. That's a tough one. Thanks

[Turin_C3PO]

62. They were old 9/11 acronyms.

[Evolve Dammit]

68. That makes sense. Thanks

[Wawannabe]

27. Who? Is right!

But we know who...just hasn’t been outted yet.

...and may not be...well, because, money/power/money

[bucolic_frolic]

29. They would have needed 3x the force to repel the throngs

and they would have needed to use rubber bullets.

I don't think the officers and especially their superiors were specialists in tactical riot control methods.

These guys encounter tourists and constituents on a daily basis.

I suppose at some point someone important will be asked why they didn't use, except for the one death, deadly force, or at least live ammo.

They were overwhelmed by numbers. All that would have done is escalate a situation they already couldn't control.

[CryptoGod]

31. Its a conspricacy.

Most likely an inside job by republicans.

[LittleGirl]

32. I think I read here

That one of the congress members thought the security that day seemed like weekend coverage and not a day when the electoral votes and rally would occur. I truly believe that they minimized security on purpose that day.

[niyad]

36. Let us not forget that the loyalist at the Pentagon refused to authorize the NG. Offers of

assistance were repeatedly turned down as unnecessary. We know who, we know how, generally. But we need all the details. And screw a 9/11 commission type whitewash. The 33 Benghazi hearings should be minor compared to what is needed here.

[ashredux]

38. It was a Coupe attempt...plain and simple. It failed. People need to go to jail.

They will be found out....

[Stuart G]

53. People will go to jail. Just give the FBI the time to get the proof, then arrest, try & convict..

Time is not on Trump's side but on the side of the police/FBI.. Those behind all of this haven't got a
clue, says Stu....It is so clear that the FBI will get the total proof....The proof is out there for all to see.
Many videos from different angles. And when the proof is total gotten, the convictions will be swift and
complete. Violence as part of the First Amendment is not accepted.....................
......Something about fire in a movie theater to protect..???? I don't remember...do you?

[Cozmo]

40. Just take a comparison of the police and NG presence at the BLM protest and the Insurrection

If you have any further doubts as to what went on here than God help you

[littlemissmartypants]

43. Because

then they would have to legitimately call it a march which would make culpable multiple unknown persons.

They were trying to fly below the radar.

And they didn’t want protection for the targets.

Who cares if a few Republicans got injured or shot/beaten to death, they would be justified colateral damage. Nobody really cares about them.

[Kid Berwyn]

58. Reichstagfeuer

Gotta have a reason to declare “Marshall Law.”

[murielm99]

60. Yeah, where's Matt Dillon when you need him?

Is he in Berwyn?

[Kid Berwyn]

64. Last I heard, he was in Cognito.

[KPN]

65. Mystery my ass. The only thing we don't know are the specific details.

[UCmeNdc]

66. Yes that is the big question! Why was the capitol building basically left unguarded?

[Corgigal]

67. At 12:02 next Wednesday,

pick up Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. Start shaking the tree. Make sure half the interviewers are black women.

Someone knew logistics, someone knew rat fucking. Start here.

[Rebl2]

69. I believe

Trump ordered it to be under guarded. He wouldn’t allow the national guard to move to the capital to guard it after the riot started. Finally Pence requested it and it got done. It is on trump and those who gave those tours on 1/5.

[BobTheSubgenius]

70. While I totally agree that there is a lot left to be learned, and a lot left to be done,

someone could indeed be that incompetent. We all know someone like that, don't we? Not that I'm saying he was responsible for that particular decision, just that he IS that incompetent. And more.