The Capitol riot was motivated by baseless claims that President Donald Trump lost the election to President Joe Biden due to ballot fraud.
The U.S. Capitol Police’s acting chief called Thursday for permanent fencing around the U.S. Capitol complex, citing the Jan.6 riot by a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump. The call for « vast improvements » of Capitol security came a day after a West Virginia man was arrested when his car parked close to the complex’s temporary barrier was found to contain a handgun and ammunition, as well as a list of members of Congress. Acting Capitol Chief Yogananda Pittman noted that a 2006 security assessment of the Capitol « specifically recommended the installation of a permanent perimeter fence. » « In light of recent events, I can unequivocally say that vast improvements to the physical security infrastructure must be made to include permanent fencing, and the availability of ready, back-up forces in close proximity to the Capitol, » Pittman said. She noted that after becoming acting chief two days after the riot, she had directed staff to conduct a physical security assessment of the entire Capitol complex, which is being done in addition to an internal police watchdog’s review of the events of Jan.
