House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has warned Congress members that they could face criminal prosecution if they are found guilty of aiding rioters and abetting the insurrection.
More than a week after the violent and deadly riot at Capitol Hill, the Democrat threatened GOP members with prosecution should they be guilty of conspiring with the MAGA mob that swarmed the Capitol last Wednesday.
“If in fact it is found that members of Congress were accomplices to this insurrection – if they aided and abetted the crimes – there may have to be actions taken beyond the Congress in terms of prosecution for that,” Pelosi said in a response to claims by lawmakers who voiced concerns about the Capitol tours that took place shortly before the rebellion.point 622 | 1
As the House Speaker also revealed, Lt. Gen. Russel Honore has been called in from his retirement to lead an “immediate review of security infrastructure.”
“House leadership has welcomed Gen. Honore, seen up close and personal his excellent leadership at the time of Katrina, particularly the head of the Katrina Task Force,” Pelosi said.
The move comes as the House Speaker vowed to conduct an extensive investigation into the insurrection and its circumstances.
“In order to serve here with each other, we must trust that people have respect for their oath of office. Respect for this institution. We must trust each other,” she said.
Following the bloodshed at the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi also issued a new set of security measures outside the House Chamber and warned Congress members they will be fined $5,000 should they turn down metal detector screenings.
Members who fail to comply with the screenings will be fined $5,000 for the first offense, whereas the second offense will cost them $10,000.
Pelosi’s move follows shortly after Congresswoman Lauren Boebert claimed several Republican House members broke the rules as they brought firearms into the Chamber on the day of the deadly riot.
“Some members were armed, they kind of just had this feeling to bend the rules that day,” the gun-rights advocate said. “And we kind of all huddled close to the ones who did.”
Boebert recently insisted she has the right to carry firearms within the US Capitol and refused to let the police search her bag when it triggered the alarm on Tuesday night. It is believed that the officers eventually let the congresswoman pass without checking her belongings.
As per the new rule, however, skipping security protocols will no longer be tolerated and those refusing to adhere to safety measures will face hefty fines.
“On behalf of the House, I express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police for the valor that they showed during the deadly insurrection on the Capitol, as they protected the lives of the staff and the Congress,” Pelosi wrote in a statement.
“Sadly, just days later, many House Republicans have disrespected our heroes by verbally abusing them and refusing to adhere to basic precautions keeping members of our Congressional community, including the Capitol Police, safe.
“The House will soon move forward with a rule change imposing fines on those who refuse to abide by these protections. The fine for the first offense will be $5,000 and $10,000 for the second offense. The fines will be deducted directly from Members’ salaries by the Chief Administrative Officer.
“It is tragic that this step is necessary, but the Chamber of the People’s House must and will be safe.”
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