US Capitol Police Chief Resigns Following Riots At The Capitol Building

 Capitol Police Chief, Steven Sund is resigning after the violent protests on the U.S. Capitol building by President Donald Trump supporters. 

According to a Capitol Police official, the resignation goes into effect on January 16. It comes amid heavy criticism that his department was unprepared for the protests despite warning signs that they could become violent.

Ahead of his resignation, Sund defended the police response. "The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was unlike any I have ever experienced in my 30 years in law enforcement here in Washington, D.C.," he said, calling the officers' actions "heroic given the situation they faced."

 

According to Sund, more than 50 Capitol Police and metropolitan police were injured during Wednesday's attack, and several have been hospitalized with "serious injuries."

It was also disclosed that four civilians died including a female airforce veteran

who was fatally shot by police.

 

Lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for Sunds' resignation on Thursday January 7.

"Many of our Capitol Police just acted so bravely and with such concern for the staff," Pelosi said Thursday. "But there was a failure at the top of the Capitol Police."

 

On Wednesday, Trump supporters overwhelmed police officers and breaching the Capitol Building, breaking windows, destroying congressional offices, and fighting officers during the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections.