U.S. Capitol Attack: Review, Response and Financing

On January 6, 2021, the world witnessed a violent and unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Vice President, Members of Congress, and the democratic process. Rioters, attempting to disrupt the Joint Session of Congress, broke into the Capitol building, vandalized and stole property, and ransacked offices. They attacked members of law enforcement and threatened the safety and lives of our nation’s elected leaders. Tragically, seven individuals, including three law enforcement officers, ultimately lost their lives. Chapter 1 addresses the security, planning, and response failures of the entities directly responsible for Capitol security along with critical breakdowns involving several federal agencies, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), and Department of Defense (“DOD”). The United States faces a more dangerous period in the wake of January 6th than we did after the Oklahoma City bombing. This threat is real and it is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to look at the ways that these extremist groups fund not only their violent activities but their recruitment and radicalization efforts as well. To effectively disrupt domestic extremist groups, we need to better understand their financing as explained in chapter 2. Chapter 3 is a transcript of remarks by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the anniversary of the attack.