U.S. lawmakers to set up commission to investigate Jan.6 attack on Capitol Hill: Pelosi

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday said lawmakers would create an outside and independent commission to examine “facts and causes” related to the deadly Jan.6 attack against the US Capitol by supporters of then President Donald Trump.

Pelosi said in a letter to lawmakers that the commission would be modeled after a similar commission convened after the September 11, 2001 attack on New York City and the Pentagon. Pelosi said the group will also examine “the facts and causes relating to the preparedness and response of the United States Capitol Police and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.”

She tasked retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Russell Honoré to assess the security needs of the Capitol following the attack. Based on her tentative findings, she said Congress must allocate additional funds “to ensure the safety of members and the security of Capitol Hill.”

She added: “It is clear from her findings and from the impeachment trial that we need to find out the truth about how this happened.”

More than a month after the attack that left five people dead as pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and sought to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory as president, the Capitol remains guarded by more than 5,000 National Guard soldiers and surrounded by eight. razor wire edged foot fences. The troops are expected to stay until mid-March.

Last month, the U.S. Capitol Police Chief urged lawmakers to add permanent fencing and back-up security, noting a 2006 security assessment recommending the installation of a permanent fence around the Capitol.

Many lawmakers and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser have urged congressional leaders not to adopt permanent fences or permanent military security.

More than 200 people have been charged with federal crimes in the bloody assault on Congress, which led to Trump’s impeachment trial for incitement to insurgency. Trump was acquitted on Saturday by a 57 to 43 vote, as seven Republican senators joined Democrats in favor of the sentencing, albeit far from the required majority.