Two US Capitol Police officers have been suspended for their actions during the attack on the US Capitol building last Wednesday (January 6).
At least 10 more officers are under federal investigation for their role in the deadly violence, CNN reported.
One of the officers that was suspended was seen in a now-viral clip, posing for a selfie with pro-Trump rioters who breached the Capitol.
The other officer reportedly put on a “Make America Great Again” hat during the chaos and began directing the mob around the building, according to Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan.
In a statement released Monday (January 11) night, acting Chief of the Capitol Police Yogananda Pittman confirmed that several officers have been suspended. Pittman said the department “has been actively reviewing video and other open source materials of some USCP officers and officials that appear to be in violation of Department regulations and policies.”
“Our Office of Professional Responsibility will investigate these behaviors for disciplinary action, up to, and including termination,” she added. “Several USCP officers have already been suspended pending the outcome of their investigations.”
Several members of Congress have called for thorough investigations of what took place at the Capitol siege, including investigating if members of Capitol police sympathized with the mob.
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, raised questions about how attackers knew where Congress members’ offices were located.
California Democrat Rep. Zoe Lofgren chairs ones of the committees that manages the Capitol Police said that viral videos of the attack are a part of the investigations taking place:
“A number of social media have indicated concerns about individual officers who, you know, if you look at the video, may have taken selfies with these seditionists or even let them in,” Lofgren said.
“We need to thoroughly investigate that, but I also know there were many officers who responded with tremendous bravery. Many officers were injured protecting the Capitol and we do thank them for their patriotism in protecting this temple of democracy,” she added.
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