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Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stengler has resigned at the behest of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
“Today, I requested and received the resignation of Michael Stenger, the Sergeant-at-Arms and Senate Gatekeeper, with immediate effect,” read a statement from McConnell.
“Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Hemingway will now serve in the Senate as Acting Sergeant-at-Arms, in accordance with the law,” he continued. “I thank Jennifer in advance for her service as we begin to consider the serious failures that occurred yesterday and continue and strengthen our preparations for a safe and successful inauguration on January 20.”
Rioters entering the Capitol forced lawmakers to take shelter in place or to leave the scene entirely. Images of the incident showed broken windows and tense confrontations with Capitol Police. A woman also died after being shot by police. Three others died due to “medical emergencies”, police said.
MCCONNELL RIPS ‘SHOCK CHESS’ IN CAPITOL SECURITY, SCHUMER SWORDS TO WORSE SERGEANT AT ARMS
According to Politico, Stenger’s resignation is just one of many resignations from law enforcement following Wednesday’s chaos. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund is resigning effective Jan.16 and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Has said House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving will also resign.
While details are unclear, images have emerged online of protesters bypassing police on Capitol Hill grounds as they approach the building itself, which houses both Houses of Congress. More than a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which many have called an “insurgency”.
McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., criticized the response, with Schumer vowing to fire the Sergeant-at-Arms if he had not left before Schumer became Majority Leader .
“If Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Stenger has not left his post by then, I will fire him as soon as the Democrats have a majority in the Senate,” he said.
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McConnell said Wednesday “represented a massive failure of the institutions, protocols and planning that are supposed to protect the first branch of our federal government.”
“A careful investigation and a thorough examination must now take place, and important changes must follow,” he added. “The initial bipartisan discussions have already started between the oversight and steering committees of Congress.”
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