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Chief: Capitol assault much bigger than intel suggested

  • By Michael Balsamo, Mary Claire Jalonick and Norman Merchant/AP
In this Feb. 2, 2021 file photo, acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman pays respects to U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

 Erin Schaff / The New York Times via AP

In this Feb. 2, 2021 file photo, acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman pays respects to U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

(Washington)  —  The acting U.S. Capitol Police chief is being pressed to explain why the agency wasn’t prepared to fend off a violent mob of insurrectionists last month, even though officials had compelling intelligence in advance.

At a House hearing, Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman denied that law enforcement failed to take seriously warnings of violence before the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Three days before the riot, Capitol Police distributed an internal document warning that armed extremists were poised for violence and could attack Congress.

But the acting chief said Thursday that the assault turned out to be much bigger than the intelligence suggested.

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