The fallout from the riots that occurred in Washington, D.C. on January 6 continues. Continuing to address the matter, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser addressed her constituents alongside Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee. During the press conference, Mayor Bowser criticized the Capitol Police Department's failure to handle the violent mobs.
"Obviously it was a failure or you would not have had police lines breached and people entering the building by breaking windows," Bowser said.
"We must also understand why the federal law enforcement response was much stronger"
Over the course of 18 hours, more than 50 people were arrested and four people died in connection to the riots. In an effort to maintain control of the city, Mayor Bowser has extended an emergency declaration through the day of President-Elect Joe Biden's inauguration. She has also imposed a 6 p.m. citywide curfew. Moving forward, Bowser has demanded that she be given command of the Washington, D.C. National Guard.
"Congress must immediately transfer command of the [DC] National Guard from the President and put it squarely under the command and control of the Mayor of the District of Columbia," she told reporters.
In addition to gaining control of the district's National Guard, she is continuing her push for Washington, D.C. statehood. Despite bearing the brunt of yesterday's events, the city has no voting representation in Congress.
"I'm upset that the 700,000 residents of D.C. didn't have a single representative voting in that building, despite our people being put in harm's way," she stated.
As she seeks statehood and National Guard support, Mayor Bowser continues to look towards the inauguration. Despite requests to avoid traveling to the inauguration, thousands are expected to descend upon the city later this month.
"We're obviously concerned. I think we as Americans have to ask ourselves, is this going to be a new normal in America?"
Photo Credit: Getty Images