Mitch McConnell: Enhanced Capitol Security Totally Unnecessary Despite Violent Capitol Attack

[babylonsister]

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03/mitch-mcconnell-capitol-security

Levin Report
Mitch McConnell: Enhanced Capitol Security Totally Unnecessary Despite Violent Capitol Attack
The minority leader thinks everyone is overreacting to the events of January 6.
By Bess Levin
March 10, 2021


Hey, remember that time a bunch of armed rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol building in a violent insurrection that left five people dead and many fearing for their lives? You should, since it just happened two months ago. Also there was a whole impeachment trial about it that included footage showing countless terrifying moments, like when the building was breached, lawmakers were rushed into hiding, and a woman was shot. Really, it’s been seared into many people’s minds, especially people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who spoke at length last month about her experience, saying in an Instagram Live, “I thought I was going to die.” And yet, according to Mitch McConnell, enhanced security around the complex is totally overblown and not actually necessary.

A day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from the Capitol Police to keep roughly 2,300 National Guard troops on Capitol grounds through May 23, the minority leader told reporters, “I think we’ve overdone it.” Claiming that “there are no serious threats against the Capitol,” he insisted, “we‘re way overreacting to the current need,” adding, “I’m extremely uncomfortable with the fact that my constituents can’t come to the Capitol. With all this razor wire around the complex, it reminds me of my last visit to Kabul. This is the capital of the United States of America. Do we need some changes? We probably do. But I think we are continuing to overreact based on current threat levels, to what is needed here at the Capitol. It looks terrible to have the beacon of our democracy surrounded by razor wire and National Guard troops.”

Conspicuously absent from McConnell’s remarks was the fact that the Department of Homeland Security reportedly told law enforcement agencies last week that the threat of violent extremism will continue in 2021 and “could escalate to include targeting of critical infrastructure.” In a recent testimony to Congress, Acting Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said that in the first two months of 2021, there was a 93% increase in threats against Congress members, and last month said that members of extremist groups that participated in the January 6 riot “want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible” during Biden’s first formal speech before a joint session of Congress. McConnell also made no mention of the fact that, when you think about it, he shares much of the responsibility for letting Donald Trump act like a mad king for four years, with predictable, deadly results.

On the other hand, doctors say the Kentucky lawmaker has been dead inside for decades, so it’s not surprising he has little fear of his workplace being subject to another attack.

[msongs]

1. not a riot, an attack by republican trump voters. nt

[Midnight Writer]

2. How long did we have enhanced security in DC after 9-11?

The seditionists of Jan 6 came closer to overturning our government than the terrorists of 9-11.

[Elwood P Dowd]

3. What if thousands of BLM had attacked the Capitol going after republicans

and did 30 million worth of damage? McConnell would have the entire 82d Airborne Division there along with an extra 10,000 police officers.

[gratuitous]

4. McConnell's not worried

Because the invaders weren't there to kill him. So what's the big deal with five dead, hundreds maimed and injured, and piss and shit spread and smeared around the halls of the Capitol?

[littlemissmartypants]

5. This was the capitol's security when there were black protestors on the streets

Link to tweet

?s=19



This was the capitol’s security when there were black protestors on the streets https://t.co/WpYT2Lz0md

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Thanks, babylonsister. I'd recommend this if my button was working. ❤ nt

[Grokenstein]

7. Do The Turtle and Mrs Turtle still eat in public?

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/412397-mcconnel-and-wife-confronted-by-angry-customers-at-restaurant

[CentralMass]

8. Hey Mitch resign then STFU.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. I never give up. My rec button is working now. Yay!

Kicked and recommended.

❤

[radius777]

10. Turtle has never cared about any 'constituents' lol,

this is more about the GOP wanting to forget about 1/6 as fast as they can, as they know it's their insane base that is responsible for the attack.

Alot of people (incl the Dem mayor of DC) don't like the fencing, but the reality is the threat still exists.

The Capitol was a sitting duck and was far too easy to be breached.

[struggle4progress]

11. "I'm gettin outta here anyway so why would I care what happens to the rest of you?"