Capitol police to give evidence in Donald Trump riot inquiry

Supporters of Donald Trump who stormed the US Capitol were ‘armed terrorists’ willing to commit murder.

Riot police engage Trump supporters as they storm the US Capitol Building on January 6. Picture: AFP

Supporters of Donald Trump who stormed the US Capitol were “armed terrorists” willing to commit murder, according to a police officer who is due to give evidence on Wednesday AEST to a committee investigating the attack.

An estimated 10,000 people invaded the building, home to the House of Representatives and the Senate, after listening to a speech by Mr Trump, 75, on January 6. In it, he claimed to have defeated Joe Biden in the November election.

The four officers, two members of the local police force and two from a unit whose job it is to protect the Capitol, are expected to describe how they were overrun when rioters broke through security barriers.

Harry Dunn, one of the officers due to testify on Wednesday, told The New York Times in February that the attackers were terrorists. “They’re fighting. They’re throwing smoke bombs. These were terrorists. They had weapons, and they were attacking us. They had flags that said ‘Come and Take It’ with a picture of a gun,” he said. “You know that these guys are fricking armed. And I’m thinking, ‘I got my gun pointed at these guys, and I can’t concentrate on one person. But 100 people could concentrate on me. And they could take me out right here on this stage. How long is it before I get shot?’”

Doors and windows were smashed, security guards were attacked and the offices of members of congress were ransacked. Four intruders and a police officer died, and many members of congress were forced to flee. Mike Pence, as vice-president, was at the Capitol to formally count the votes that would confirm Mr Biden’s win. Several of the rioters chanted “hang Mike Pence”.

The Department of Justice has charged more than 550 people. Last week Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, from Tampa, Florida, became the first rioter to be sentenced. He was jailed for eight months.

The committee was formed by Nancy Pelosi, 81, the house speaker, and is made up largely of Democrats. At Monday, she announced that Adam Kinzinger of Illinois would join Liz Cheney as the only Republicans.

The vast majority of Republicans have declined to take part in investigations into the attacks and members of the party voted down a proposal to form a commission similar to the one that investigated the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Ms Pelosi rejected bids by Jim Jordan of Ohio and Jim Banks of Indiana to join the committee, leading to accusations from Republicans that the committee’s findings would be biased. Both are Trump-supporting congressmen. Kevin McCarthy, the Republican leader in the house, told Ms Pelosi that she was “playing politics”.

Mr Kinzinger and Ms Cheney were among a handful of Republicans in congress to vote to impeach Mr Trump after the riots. He was acquitted in a Senate trial but both have subsequently been ostracised by their party. “When duty calls, I will always answer,” Mr Kinzinger said. “This moment requires a serious, clear-eyed, non-partisan approach.”

Asked about Mr Kinzinger’s appointment, Mr Banks said: “It’s clear that Pelosi only wants members on this committee who will stick to her talking points and stick to her narrative.”

The committee is expected to report its findings next year.

THE TIMES