Police warn extremist groups want to ‘blow up Capitol Hill’ as Biden addresses Congress

The Acting Chief of Police of the Capitol, Yogananda Pittman on Thursday warned that extremist militias involved in the January 6 executive takeover want to “blow up the Capitol” and “kill as many members as possible” when President Joe Biden addresses the Congress.

Pittman appeared before the House of Representatives on Thursday to explain security loopholes recorded during the certification of congressional votes, which prompted a host of supporters of former President Donald Trump to break in and take over the iconic building.

The acting head of Capitol Hill security forces explained during his speech that the police plan to maintain their highest level of security and alerting at least until the end of Biden’s first official speech to Congress..

Participants asked Pittman about the need to maintain security measures around the building, including the fencing and deployment of the National Guard, according to reports. NBC News.

Yes indeed, Pittman has not specified a timeline to remove the fences surrounding the Capitol at this time, nor for the return of members of the National Guard who remain in Washington to their home states.

With reference to the incidents of that day, Pittman insisted that the intention of the attackers was not “to attack members of Congress and officials”., rather, they intended to “send a symbolic message to the nation to know who was in charge of this legislative process”.

Additionally, in response to accusations that intelligence warnings of possible violence that could be generated on January 6 were ignored, the acting chief noted that “The department did not ignore information indicating an attack of the size and scope that we found on the 6th,” because “there was no such information.”

“While we knew the likelihood of violence from extremists, there was no credible threat to indicate tens of thousands of people would attack the United States Capitol, nor intelligence received from the FBI or any other enforcement partner. of the law did not indicate such a threat. “, you specified.

While there is still no specific date, all indications are that Biden will deliver a speech at a joint Senate and House of Representatives session after Congress approves the COVID-aid package. 19.

(With information from Europa Press)

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