WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Freshman Democrat Class President of the 117th Congress, along with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) sent a letter to Paul Irving, House Sergeant at Arms; Michael Stenger, Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper; Steven Sund, Capitol Police Chief; and Yogananda Pittman, Assistant Chief of Protective and Intelligence Operations on Friday calling for the investigation of the security breach allowing terrorists to invade the Capitol Complex on Jan. 6.  

“When I envisioned my first days in Congress, never would I have imagined not feeling safe in the halls of Congress,” said Rep. Williams. “The lack of leadership at the United States Capitol Police put my life and the safety of Members, staff and officers at risk, and ultimately cost an officer his life. My heart breaks for USCP Officer Brian Sicknick and his family.”

In the letter, the Freshmen Members requested the immediate identification and firing of officers seen opening barricades, taking selfies, and allowing terrorists to desecrate the U.S. Capitol.  

“This was more than a security breach; what we witnessed was a complete failure of protection at multiple levels of our government and the leadership at the United States Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms are complicit,” the Members wrote in the letter.  

“Most new Member offices did not feel safe; many did not receive timely or even appropriate communications. On day three of our service to the people of this country, we experienced vulnerabilities that call into question the role of the Capitol Police.”

The letter also requested Sergeant Irving, Sergeant Stenger, Chief Sund, and Assistant Chief Pittman brief the Members by Friday, January 15, 2021 concerning how terrorists were allowed into the Capitol Complex.  

“It is imperative that we move forward expediently to address the recent domestic terror attack and demonstrate to the country that our democracy, government, and institutions are secure,” the letter said.