Tensions erupt between House Republicans and Capitol Police over metal detectors

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Tensions erupted Tuesday night between a handful of House Republicans and Capitol Police over new metal detectors placed outside the House chamber in the wake of the Capitol attack.

Lawmakers were overheard by reporters complaining about detectors and slursing Democrats as they tried to enter the House chamber to vote, saying they had not been consulted by Democratic leaders on the decision to install the devices.

“You are completely removing valuable resources where they belong, and you have done it without any consultation with the minority,” Rep. Rodney DavisLawmakers Rodney Lee DavisGOP said Trump took part of the blame for the riot on Capitol Hill The Hill’s Morning Report – A Dark Day as Trump embraces ‘special’ rioters McMorris Rodgers leaves the President’s chair on the Democrat’s in-person vote after COVID PLUS diagnosis (R-Ill.) Shouted at the parliamentary majority leader Steny hoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerManchin: House impeachment plan ‘ill-advised’ FBI seeks help in identifying Capitol rioter who carried Confederate flag Republicans assess support for Trump impeachment MORE (D-Md.) Before calling the detectors “bullshit”.

“You are creating a problem whose ramifications you don’t understand,” Rep. Steve womackStephen (Steve) Allen WomackHouse Republicans Who Didn’t Sign Texas Trial Jason Smith Set To Become Senior House Budget Committee Republican On Money: Trump Plays With New Stimulus Strategy | Trump Cannot Block Grand Jury Summons For His Tax Returns, Court Rules | Long-term unemployment numbers rise, underscoring economic pain READ MORE (R-Ark.) Shouted at the policemen holding the detectors, yelling at them to “come back” and “don’t touch me”.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Who touted her desire to carry her Glock pistol into the Capitol, was also seen by a reporter activating a detector and refusing to turn her bag over to the police for inspection.

Although the subject of the confrontation with the officers was not immediately clear, Boebert later tweeted: “I am legally allowed to carry my gun in Washington, DC and in the Capitol compound” and that the detectors are not “another political coup from the President [Nancy] Pelosi “which would not have prevented the riots of last week.

A Democratic lawmaker hit back at Boebert’s remark, telling The Hill that the detectors were not meant to stop a riot and instead were meant to prevent lawmakers from bringing guns into the House chamber – this that Boebert said she could do.

The detectors must “prevent jackasses from carrying guns into the bedroom,” the Democratic lawmaker said. “We already have a member who has announced he wants to bring one there.”

Republican critics have marked the latest source of tension in a Capitol that has already been rocked by last week’s deadly riots and this week’s impeachment proceedings in the House, which begin Tuesday night.

The metal detectors were installed on Tuesday to screen everyone – including lawmakers – before entering the House chamber. The devices are the latest defense system put in place after last week’s violent mobs stormed the Capitol, crushing police and killing at least one officer.

“To ensure compliance with the Capitol Police Board regulations regarding firearms and incendiary devices, as well as to provide a safe and secure environment in which to conduct legislative business, with immediate effect, all persons, including members, are held [to] undergo a security check upon entering the House chamber, “Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett wrote in a notice.

Metal detectors are installed at certain entrances to the chamber, according to Blodgett, who added that “failure to complete the screening or carrying prohibited items could result in denial of access to the chamber.”

Republicans on Tuesday called the measure unnecessary and said they were not involved in the decision to install the detectors.

“They prevent members from coming to vote,” said the House minority whip. Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph Scalise Wave of companies cut donations – largely to GOP GOP MPs voicing frustration at leaders’ response to Trump riots READ: Republicans who voted to challenge election results MORE (R-La.), Adding that there were detectors at various other points in the Capitol complex. “They were strictly designed to prevent members from coming to vote. This is our job. It was never discussed by anyone, you are not making a major change like this.

“In order for members of Congress to enter the United States House floor, we must now go through intense security measures, in addition to the security that we are already going through. These new provisions include searches and being lost like criminals. We now live in the Communist America of Pelosi! added Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.).

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), A conservative brandon who runs the House Freedom Caucus, said the detectors were “crap” and “the dumbest thing” when he encountered them.

representative Larry BucshonLarry Dean BucshonHouse Republicans Who Didn’t Sign Texas Lawsuit Vaccine Development Process Safe, Claims to the contrary are baseless Congress must protect patients with kidney disease during COVID-19 PLUS pandemic (R-Ind.) Called on House Republicans to “formally protest” and said “forcing Capitol Hill police not to allow MPs into the House without a” security “checkpoint is unconstitutional.”

Ultimately, around 10 lawmakers were seen bypassing the detectors and entering the chamber, raising questions about the effectiveness of the devices, especially given the reluctance of officers to detain members of the House. .

Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill regarding the complaints.

GOP complaining about the detectors comes as Capitol Police and House and Senate sergeants-at-arms look to beef up security around Capitol Hill ahead of President-elect’s inauguration next week Joe bidenJoe Biden Capitol Police Confirm Investigation into Behavior of Some Officers During Riot GOP lawmakers say Trump has some responsibility for the Capitol riot Army personnel director disputes account of Capitol Police Chief of National Guard Deployment.

Law enforcement sadly seemed unprepared for last week’s crowd and has been inundated with bipartisan criticism since the deadly riot. Since then, a 7-foot “non-scalable fence” has been erected along the perimeter of the Capitol, and the Pentagon has authorized the National Guard to deploy up to 15,000 members of the Guard to support it on inauguration day. .

Juliegrace Brufke, Mike Lillis and Scott Wong contributed to this report.



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