By Ellen Mitchell - 01/24/21 07:10 PM EST
Lawmakers are taking matters into their own hands to prevent white supremacists and other extremists from joining and remaining in the military.
Following the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the subsequent revelation that nearly 1 in 5 people charged in connection with the riot have some form of military background Congress plans to insert language into this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to address extremism at the Pentagon and other federal agencies.
“The attack on our Capitol was an insurrection fueled in large part by groups that espouse the same extreme white supremacists’ views groups that actively recruit veterans and from the ranks of our military,” Rep. Anthony Brown
Nearly 1 In 5 Defendants In Capitol Riot Cases Served In The Military
at 12:01 pm NPR
As a violent mob descended on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, lawmakers and aides hid wherever they could, waiting for the military and police to arrive. But many of those who stormed the Capitol were military veterans themselves, who had once sworn to protect the Constitution. In fact, an NPR analysis has found that nearly 1 in 5 people charged over their alleged involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol appear to have a military history.
NPR compiled a list of individuals facing federal or District of Columbia charges in connection with the events of Jan. 6. Of more than 140 charged so far, a review of military records, social media accounts, court documents and news reports indicate at least 27 of those charged, or nearly 20%, have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. To put that number in perspective, only about 7% of all American adults are military veter
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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 in the months ahead of the attack, Brock posted on Facebook about an impending Second Civil War.
As a violent mob descended on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, lawmakers and aides hid wherever they could, waiting for military and police to arrive. But many of those who stormed the Capitol were military veterans themselves, who had once sworn to protect the Constitution. In fact, an NPR analysis has found that nearly one in five people charged for their alleged involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol appears to have a military history.
Nearly One In Five Defendants In Capitol Riot Cases Served In The Military knpr.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from knpr.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.