Nearly three weeks after hundreds of violent rioters stormed the United States Capitol, authorities have issued a formal public apology. Before the House Appropriations Committee, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman issued a formal statement addressing the unit's failure to protect the Capitol and safety measures that have been taken since the incident.
"I am here to offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of the department," Pittman said.
"On Jan. 6, in the face of a terrorist attack by tens of thousands of insurrectionists determined to stop the certification of Electoral College votes, the department failed to meet its own high standards as well as yours."
During her apology, Pittman acknowledged that they were aware that the armed militia groups would attend the "Save America" rally in support of former President Donald Trump.
"We knew that there was a strong potential for violence and that Congress was the target," the acting police chief added.
"The department prepared in order to meet these challenges, but we did not do enough."
During the riots of January 6, four people were killed and many more were injured. In the aftermath of the incident, Capitol Police have introduced stricter security measures including metal detectors. These heightened security measures have been praised by many, but criticized by a few members of Congress.
"For members of Congress to enter the floor of the U.S. House, we now have to go through intense security measures, on top of the security we already go through. These new provisions include searches and being wanded like criminals. We now live in Pelosi’s communist America," Rep. Debbie Lesko tweeted.
"Under the direction of Speaker Pelosi, magnetometers are at entrances to the House floor. Members of Congress are not allowed to perform their duty to vote on behalf of their constituents without going through this “security” checkpoint. [Rep. Kevin McCarthy] needs to formally protest," Rep. Larry Bucshon added.
Still, the metal detectors remain as a safety precaution. The National Guard also intends to keep thousands of troops in Washington, D.C. through the end of March.
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