The FBI released video footage on Thursday of attacks on law enforcement officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6th.
What We Know:
- On Jan. 6th, a large group of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol during a session of congress. Their goal was to stop the counting of the electoral votes for Joe Biden during the 2020 election. During the hours-long siege, almost 140 officers were injured with at least one death as a direct result of injuries sustained that day, according to NBC. Rioters pushed through security barriers and into the Capitol, with many then breaking into private offices, looting documents and memorabilia.
- In the months since the attack, authorities have arrested over 300 people in connection to the riots, but still require assistance identifying the most violent. To that end, the FBI’s Washington Field Office has released ten videos of those suspects calling for the public’s help in identifying them.
- In a statement, Washington Field Office Assistant Director Steven M. D’Antuono said “These individuals are seen on video committing egregious crimes against those who have devoted their lives to protecting the American people.” Some of the officers in the videos are seen being struck with metal pipes or sticks and being attacked with stolen police shields and chemical sprays.
#Breaking: #FBIWFO releases new videos of suspects in 10 of the most violent and horrifying assaults on federal officers during the riots at the Jan 6th riots at the Capitol. We need your help to identify these individuals. https://t.co/MToMO7JAG2 pic.twitter.com/YXaivEGPRL
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) March 18, 2021
The fallout from the riots raised many questions about how the Capitol security was so ill-prepared to deal with the attacks, while also highlighting the deep political divisions within the country.
