The Capitol Police’s internal watchdog on Thursday described in harrowing detail how officers were woefully underprepared for the Jan. 6 insurrection after leaders failed to communicate intelligence warnings and decided against providing more effective weapons to fight back the violent mob.
In testimony before a House committee, Capitol Police inspector general Michael Bolton highlighted two recent reports listing numerous failures by the top brass and called for a major overhaul of training and operations on the force.
Bolton told lawmakers on the House Administration Committee that the Capitol Police leadership opted against using stronger weapons such as sting balls out of concerns that they would be misused and cause life-altering injuries or death amid the attack on the Capitol.