Following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi lost no time in establishing a “non-partisan” review that identifies immediate “actions or decisions” to improve security for the “Capitol, Members, and staff.” In her Liberty Nation article, “Was Capitol Riot Catalyst for a Surveillance State?” Laura Valkovic identified a potential intrusion into Americans’ right to privacy that could result from such a review. Indeed, the recently released draft report of the “Task Force 1-6 Assessment” recommends “long-term improvements to perimeter fencing and security surveillance and sensing system” around the Capitol.
As the report explains, the task force was a non-partisan “team of professionals with law enforcement, legal, personal protection, intelligence, operational, and Congressional experience.” To make their assessment, the team met with such diverse groups as U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, the Architect of the Capitol, and various congressional members and staff.
The assessment is heavy on assertions with little foundation in data. For example, in the section labeled “Operational Review,” the report states: “Threats against the Capitol and Members have shifted dramatically, both in volume and nature.” The word “volume” probably refers to “quantity” rather than decibels. What are the statistics? What was the volume before it shifted, and what qualifies as “shifted dramatically”?
The assessment asserts that only “a handful of people in the USCP have significant intelligence training. The understaffed Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division lacks the experience, knowledge, and processes to provide intelligence support against emerging domestic threats.”
They’re Trying to Shut Us Down
Over the last several months, I’ve lost count of how many times the powers-that-be have tried to shut us down. They’ve sent hackers at us, forcing us to take extreme measures on web security. They sent attorneys after us, but thankfully we’re not easily intimidated by baseless accusations or threats. They’ve even gone so far as to make physical threats. Those can actually be a bit worrisome but Remington has me covered.
For us to continue to deliver the truth that Americans need to read and hear, we ask you, our amazing audience, for financial assistance. We have a Giving Fuel page to help us pay the bills. It’s brand new so don’t be discouraged by the lack of donations there. It’s a funny reality that the fewer the donations that have been made, the less likely people are willing to donate to it. One would think this is counterintuitive, but sometimes people are skeptical because they think that perhaps there’s a reason others haven’t been donating. In our situation, we’re just getting started so please don’t be shy if you have the means to help.
Thank you and God bless!
JD Rucker
