Recon Tours May Have Occurred Day Before Capitol Riot

16th January 2021

Recon Tours May Have Occurred Day Before Capitol Riot

An investigation into the riot has been launched (Getty Images).

The Claim

There was an extremely high number of outside groups within the Capitol on January 5, 2021, implying that there may have been reconnaissance before the riot.

News posted on

Rep. Mikie Sherrill

Kaileigh A. Tara

MizNanC

PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY

Emerging story

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill posted on Twitter “requesting an investigation from the Acting House SAA, Acting Senate SAA, and USCP into the suspicious behavior and access given to visitors to the Capitol Complex on Jan. 5, 2021 - the day before the attacks on the Capitol.”

The request appears to be signed by 30 lawmakers looking to get more information on the tours of the Capitol on January 5th, 2021.

Twitter users retweeted with their support saying “we must know where the collusion was” and that “There has to be accountability!”

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation found this claim to be suspicious. The photo on Twitter of the request for an investigation is real and has been confirmed by multiple news outlets as well as a Facebook Live address by Mikie Sherrill.

According to ABC News, Mikie Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor, joined more than 30 lawmakers signing a letter Wednesday to request an investigation from the acting House sergeant-at-arms, the acting Senate sergeant-at-arms, and the United States Capitol Police.

Sherrill claimed that she witnessed unnamed members of Congress lead groups of people through the Capitol on a "reconnaissance" tour on January 5.

She also alleged that Republicans "abetted" President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the results of the election, promising that she would "see they are held accountable, and if necessary, ensure that they don't serve in Congress."

The letter reads: "Many of the Members who signed this letter, including those of us who have served in the military and are trained to recognize suspicious activity, as well as various members of our staff, witnessed an extremely high number of outside groups in the complex on Tuesday, January 5.”

This is suspicious because Capitol tours have been prohibited since March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These tours were reported to security on January 5, ahead of the following day's violence.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that retired Army lieutenant general Russel L. Honoré will conduct a security review of the Capitol. She also said that if any members of Congress took part in helping the rioters they will be punished.