Why was there such a safety failure at the Capital? What happened?

I think you really underestimate the challenge these criminals will face in defending themselves at trial against eager prosecutors. Once they are shown to have been on restricted grounds, the burden of proof shifts to the defendant being able to assert a legal defense. You are talking about an expensive trial. Most of these people will agree to pleas before trial.

OH...TX wrote:

I think you really underestimate the challenge these criminals will face in defending themselves at trial against eager prosecutors. Once they are shown to have been on restricted grounds, the burden of proof shifts to the defendant being able to assert a legal defense. You are talking about an expensive trial. Most of these people will agree to pleas before trial.

And once a lawyer shows the defendent escorted in and taking selfies with the the people who invited him/her, the impetus goes right back to the prosecutor that they were not welcomed.

I agree that the cost, time, worry,..... will cause most to plea to probation and a fine. However, those seen with weapons & destroying property have a justifiable tough road coming - and right quick! No matter, some really poor decisions took place.

old guy 75 wrote:

If 39% of the Country supports Trump it follows that 39% of the police are Trump supporters. Of course that doesn't explain the inadequate number of police. That comes from the top. Did the top cop intentionally pull back security? Scary thought. Throw the book at the worst offenders. Make an example of them. A minimum of ten years in Federal prison.

In reality it does not add up like this.

Fourteen percent of U.S. citizens are Black. Less than 1/2 are cops or less than 7% of all in law enforcement are Black. Let's exclude Black correction officers. Rarely are correction officers on the streets acting as cops. Most in U.S. with Phd. are Democrats. Most in law enforcement do not have Phd. Most hetro-sexual White males are right of center. There are some homosexual cops but I would guess less as a percentage of the whole. Most in law enforcement are male. I know there are some women in law enforcement. My guess is (60 to 70)% of law enforcement are Trump supporters.

"No one was expecting that to happen with so many people." Just one of several of your points that defies credulity.

Anyone who didn't see that coming doesn't see much of anything coming. I saw that coming, my aging cat saw that coming, the guy across the street with only a radio saw that coming.

There is no possible doubt that inside corruption and prearranged passive response--lower the moat bridge, throw open the doors, and welcome the crazies was the order of the day! The belated enforcement of law and order was almost an afterthought. It was a planned insurrection. An ineffective one by coup standards, and an almost humorous display of human opera buffalo, a poor production.

But it was no surprise to those with half a brain and a working media resource.

There were hundreds of riots and 1,000s of stores looted this summer, but the Dems only get upset when they arr personally are caught up in the wave of terror? Amazing leadership from the donkeys.

Because the terrorists weren't black and brown.

It's the police officers only secondarily. The fix was in from the top. Orders migrated down the line from pro-Trump to every level to stand down and let the crazies in.

Chop from the top.

BLM was a peaceful protest against real police brutality that has gone on for 100s of years. what happened last week was a violent mob directed by an mental jackass. trying to compare the two is nonsense

Local news (in Chicago) said there was talk of more events planned for the 17th and 19th. I'd assume the law enforcement folks in DC already know about this?