Listen to this short episode, or read on for the answer.
Do you have a question for the Civics 101 team? Submit it here!
With the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol Building, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) have been thrust into the spotlight. That leaves some people wondering:
who are the United States Capitol Police? How is this agency different from the Secret Service?
The Capitol Police are a security force/police department hybrid. They re part of the legislative branch and their stated mission is to protect Congress. But they are more than bodyguards for the 535 members of Congress. They also protect Congressional staff and the families of Congress members, anywhere in the United States, plus the millions of visitors a year the U.S. Capitol receives.
Exclusive: How Officials Fear of Donald Trump Paralyzed Intelligence Agencies, Led to Capitol Riot
By William M. Arkin
From Left: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty; Olivier DOULIERY/AFP/Getty
The Department of Homeland Security looked the other way. So did the Pentagon. The FBI collected reports of violence and criminal activity but took no action. The U.S. Capitol Police wrote a threat assessment that President Trump s supporters were disappointed and desperate, that they might become violent. They were all monitoring social media. But only the District of Columbia government and police went on alert; no one else otherwise prepared. That s because government and military officials were afraid.
A Fairfield County man has been charged in connection to the violent assault of a police officer during the deadly pro-Trump Capitol Hill riot on Wednesday, Jan. 6 that was captured on video and shown repeatedly throughout the world.Patr.
Larry Rendall Brock Jr., an Air Force veteran, is seen inside the Senate Chamber wearing a military-style helmet and tactical vest during the rioting at the U.S. Capitol. Federal prosecutors have alleged that before the attack, Brock posted on Facebook about an impending Second Civil War. Win McNamee/Getty Images
toggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images
Larry Rendall Brock Jr., an Air Force veteran, is seen inside the Senate Chamber wearing a military-style helmet and tactical vest during the rioting at the U.S. Capitol. Federal prosecutors have alleged that before the attack, Brock posted on Facebook about an impending Second Civil War.