Category: U.S. Capitol

Department of Homeland Security Failed to Adequately Prepare for Jan. 6: GAO

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should have taken into account changing circumstances and designated as special the events on Jan. 6, a new report says. DHS can designate planned events as special, triggering security planning and other processes. But it did not do so for Jan. 6, because officials believed they didn’t meet the…


Appeals Court Orders Release of Man Held Without Bond on Capitol Breach Charges

A man held without bond for allegedly assaulting police officers outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was ordered released on Monday by an appeals court. U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan, a Reagan nominee, in May denied a request for release on bond pending trial for George Tanios and Julian Khater, both accused of working…


Virginia Couple Sentenced to Home Confinement for Entering US Capitol on Jan. 6

A Virginia couple on Wednesday were sentenced by a judge to home confinement for entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 breach of the building. Joshua Bustle was sentenced to 30 days of confinement at home while his wife, Jessica Bustle, was ordered to stay confined for 60 days. U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan,…


Congress to Award Congressional Gold Medals to Officers Who Helped Protect US Capitol

Congress will award Congressional Gold Medals to the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers who helped protect the Capitol on Jan. 6, after a Senate vote on Tuesday. The Senate passed the bill awarding the medals via unanimous consent, meaning the votes weren’t recorded but any single senator could have blocked its passage….


Police Officer Who Responded to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Dies by Suicide

A Washington police officer who responded to the Jan. 6 breach at the U.S. Capitol was found dead inside his home last week. Gunther Hashida, 43, killed himself in his house and was found on July 29, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Department told The Epoch Times. “We are grieving as a Department as…


Police Officers Offer Harrowing Accounts at First Jan. 6 Panel Hearing

Some who breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 assaulted law enforcement officers, used denigrating language, and made specific threats against then-Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), members of Congress heard Tuesday from some of the officers. “The physical violence we experienced was horrific and devastating. My fellow officers and I…


The US Constitution Says Treat All Defendants the Same

Commentary Equal treatment under the law, right? I think every American agrees that when it comes to law enforcement, all citizens should be treated the same way. So, how to explain the disparity in post-arrest treatment between last year’s George Floyd protesters and this year’s detainees from the breach at the U.S. Capitol? Nothing that…


Man Who Filmed Ashli Babbitt’s Death Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor

A Maryland man who filmed the death of Ashli Babbitt inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 pleaded guilty on Thursday to a misdemeanor. Andrew Bennett agreed to plead guilty to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building in exchange for three other misdemeanor charges being dropped, according to a plea agreement filed with…


Man Who Breached Capitol on Jan. 6 Sentenced to Eight Months in Jail

A man who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced to eight months in jail on Monday. Paul Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, Florida entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 at approximately 2:50 p.m. He was seen about 10 minutes later wearing a “Trump 2020” shirt and waving a flag with the same message…


Man Who Breached Capitol on Jan. 6 Sentenced to 8 Months in Jail

A man who entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced to eight months in jail on July 19. Paul Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, Florida, entered the Capitol building on Jan. 6 at approximately 2:50 p.m. He was seen about 10 minutes later wearing a “Trump 2020” shirt and waving a flag with the…