Capitol police to closely monitor security on Jan 6 anniversary despite no apparent threat

The Senate Sergeant at Arms warned Capitol Hill staff on the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurgency that the office is unaware of any particular threats to the US Capitol complex or Senate state offices.

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“The SAA and U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) will continue to monitor and communicate with local and federal law enforcement partners,” according to the email from the Senate Sergeant at Arms on Thursday.

Employees are also reminded about the Senate Employee Assistance Program, which can aid with long-term trauma. “Experiencing and witnessing events similar to and from January 6, 2021, can be universally challenging,” the email says. 

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With officers still suffering from the mob violence that engulfed Congress a year ago, the chief of the United States Capitol Police assured legislators on Wednesday that his department was taking steps to remedy the flaws exposed by the incident and would put more than 100 suggestions into action.

J. Thomas Manger, the agency’s new chief, told the Senate Rules Committee that the Capitol Police had already addressed 90 of the 103 suggestions given by the inspector general. Streamlining intelligence operations and obtaining much-needed new equipment are among them.

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“We fully understand the need to restore confidence in our ability to fulfill our mission each day, no matter the circumstances,” Chief Manger said in written testimony before the committee, which heard the inspector general, Michael A. Bolton, criticised the agency last month.

“The men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police proved their mettle on Jan. 6. I take full responsibility for restoring confidence in the leadership of the department. We have accomplished a great deal, with more work to be done,” he added.

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Only around 30 of Bolton’s recommendations had been executed, he told the committee. Another 60 were in the works, according to Manger, who has assigned an inspector to verify that they are all completed.