Tag: US Capitol

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US Marine Corps Officer Arrested For Taking Part In Capitol Invasion

Christopher Warnagiris (image via Justice Dept)
A U.S. Marine Corps officer is about to go through some stuff after being arrested for taking part in the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol. From the Department of Justice:

An active duty U.S. Marine Corps commissioned officer stationed at the Marine Corps Base Quantico was arrested today in Virginia and charged with crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Major Christopher Warnagiris, 40, of Woodbridge, is charged with federal offenses that include assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; and obstruction of justice, among other charges.

According to court documents and security camera footage, Warnagiris violently entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, after pushing through a line of police officers guarding the East Rotunda doors. Once inside, Warnagiris positioned himself in the corner of the doorway, using his body to keep the door open and pull others inside.

When a U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officer tried to pull the doors shut, Warnagiris refused and continued pushing it open. Warnagiris can be seen pushing the officer in an effort to maintain his position in the open door in security camera footage

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Congress Under Lockdown As Trump Cultists Storm The Capitol

Screen capture via CNN

Screen capture via CNN
(screen capture via CNN)
Several news outlets are reporting that Vice President Mike Pence has been evacuated from the Senate Chamber as Trump cultists have breached security barricades outside the Capitol. According to reports, there is an armed standoff at the door to the House floor. From the New York Times:

The Capitol building was placed on lockdown, with senators and members of the House locked inside their chambers, as Congress began debating President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. President Trump addressed supporters near the White House before protesters marched to Capitol Hill.

Chaos engulfed the Capitol on Wednesday as a faction of Republicans sought to overturn President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory in Congress and a group of protesters loyal to President Trump tried to storm the building, demanding to be heard.

Around 2:15 p.m., the proceedings ground to a halt as security rushed Vice President Mike Pence out of the Senate chamber and the Capitol building was placed on lockdown, with senators and members of the House locked inside their chambers.

The extraordinary day in Washington laid bare deep divisions both between the two parties and within Republican ranks, the ceremonial counting of electoral votes that unfolds every four years in Congress was transformed into an explosive spectacle, with President Trump stoking the unrest.

 

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One Man “Gyrocopter” Lands On West Lawn Of U.S. Capitol

Somehow, a one man helicopter (being referred to as a “gyro-copter”) was able to fly into the airspace over the U.S. Capitol and land on the West Lawn.

The pilot is in custody, and Capitol Police are VERY busy investigating.

According to reports, the man was a 61 year old mail man from Ruskin, Florida.

How in hell was this man not shot down???

From CNN:

“The U.S. Capitol Police is investigating a gyro copter with a single occupant that has landed on the grassy area of the West Lawn of t‎he U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Capitol Police continues to investigate with one person detained and temporary street closures in the immediate area,” said Capitol Police Lt. Kimberly Schneider in a statement to CNN.

According to the FAA, this is restricted airspace and the individual did not get special permission to fly in this airspace.

The Capitol Police have not disclosed his identity, but did say he is in custody for questioning and they don’t yet know whether it was a mechanical issue or an intentional landing on the Capitol grounds.

The building is no longer in lockdown, however, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms tells CNN that everything is under control.