It’s Tuesday, the traditional day for elections and for our pause-and-consider newsletter on politics and policy. We think of it as a mini-magazine in your Inbox.

Six months after rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol, there is no independent commission to investigate that day (thoughDemocrats say they may try again to create one.)

But there is now a bipartisan report.  

Today, the Senate Rules and Homeland Security Committees jointly issued a 128-page report that adds new details to what we know about the security failures of January 6, but leaves many core questions untouched.

Before we lay out what is in this report, you should know that leading Democrats and Republicans on the committees agreed on the document. And that when they initiated this report, they set a narrow scope: generally, the security failures of January 6. Former President Donald Trump’s role is not evaluated. Instead the report includes a transcript of his full remarks to supporters that day.

The report is based on thousands of pages of documents and interviews with at least 15 key decision makers and 50 Capitol Police officers, whose thoughts have been kept anonymous. 

Here’s a breakdown of what stood out to us.

Key failures the committee found:

• The FBI and Department of Homeland Security did write a formal threat assessment ahead of Jan. 6.

• U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) had numerous pieces of intelligence from online chatter that protesters were preparing to be violent. “Bring your gun. It’s now or never,” read one post.

• USCP did not widely share its intelligence and did not correctly assess the threat.

• Rank-and-file officers say they were not warned and were not prepared.

• On Jan. 4, the acting defense secretary and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff suggested revoking the permit for a Jan. 6 protest at the Capitol and called for a lockdown of the city of Washington. Neither idea was used.

• The three-person system in place to oversee the Capitol Police, known as the Capitol Police Board, led to delays in requesting National Guard assistance.

• And a profound set of communication and bureaucratic issues with other agencies, including the Department of Defense, delayed the National Guard. Troops arrived only after the Capitol had been secured.

Recommendations

There are 20 in all. Here are a few.

• The chief of Capitol Police should be able to call directly for the National Guard in emergencies.  

• Capitol Police officers must receive better training and equipment.

• The police force should put together department-wide operational plans for special events.

• Communications need to be dramatically improved at several agencies, and between agencies, about threat assessments and police plans regarding the U.S. Capitol.

Some key quotes

On the hesitancy to add more security and revoke rally permits ahead of Jan. 6:  

“FBI and DHS officials stressed the difficulty in discerning constitutionally protected free speech versus actionable, credible threats of violence.” (p. 1)

On Capitol Police’s intelligence failures: 

“USCP’s Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division (“IICD”) possessed information about the potential for violence at the Capitol on January 6, including a plot to breach the Capitol, the online sharing of maps of the Capitol Complex’s tunnel systems, and other specific threats of violence.  [They] however, did not convey the full scope of information or assess the threat as likely to occur, which affected USCP’s preparations.” (p. 36) 

“Not only was the January 3 Special Assessment not shared widely outside of USCP, it was also not briefed to rank-and-file officers.” (p. 51) 

Officer statement provided to committee, “We were ill prepared. We were NOT informed with intelligence. We were betrayed. We were abandoned by ALL the deputy chiefs and above that day. We still have not been told where exactly the chiefs were that day and what their [role] was on the 6th. USCP needs to address the 6th openly and honestly. The chiefs need to be held accountable[.] [T]hey need to be under investigation for failure to supervise and failure to take police action.” (p. 54) 

The training and equipment failure:

“The training and equipment requirements applied to fewer than 300 of the 1,200 officers on duty during the height of the attack. The remaining 900 officers had even less training and equipment to defend themselves and the buildings and individuals they are sworn to protect.” (p. 59)

Officer statement: “I was horrified that NO deputy chief or above was on the radio or helping us. For hours the screams on the radio were horrific[,] the sights were unimaginable[,] and there was a complete loss of control. . . . For hours NO Chief or above took command and control. Officers were begging and pleading for help for medical triage.” (p. 61) 

The red tape and the Capitol Police Board:

“None of the Capitol Police Board members on January 6 could fully explain in detail the statutory requirements for requesting National Guard assistance.” (p. 64)

“This lack of familiarity with the process delayed requests for National Guard assistance on and before January 6.” (p. 62) 

“This need to await Capitol Police Board approval during an emergency hindered Mr. Sund’s ability to quickly request the assistance of the D.C. National Guard. Even when under attack, the USCP Chief still needed an emergency declaration from the Capitol Police Board before requesting National Guard assistance.” (p. 70)

Conclusion

“January 6, 2021 marked not only an attack on the Capitol Building—it marked an attack on democracy. The entities responsible for securing and protecting the Capitol Complex and everyone onsite that day were not prepared for a large-scale attack, despite being aware of the potential for violence targeting the Capitol.” (p95) 
 

FIVE OVERLOOKED POLITICAL STORIES FROM THE PAST WEEK

By Ian Couzens, @iancouzenz
Politics production assistant

More States Advance Bills on College Athlete Endorsements - June 4. States including Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and more have passed “image and likeness” legislation that would allow college athletes in these states to profit from endorsements, sponsorships, and autographs. Why it matters: While this is a win for the years-long battle to allow college athletes to profit from talent in college athletics, the new bills are all slightly different in approach, rules and time frames. Without a uniformed approach from a governing body like the NCAA, observers fear these new systems will be chaotic and confusing for schools and players. -- Stateline

Federal Judge Overturns California’s 32-Year Assault Weapons Ban - June 5. Last week a federal judge overruled a California ban on some gun sales, declaring the law unconstitutional.   Why it matters: As gun violence reaches a decades-long high in cities around around the nation, an intense battle is brewing between states which want to restrict some access to weapons and some courts which believe the Second Amendment supersedes those local decisions. -- The New York Times 

Millions in federal rent assistance money for SC remains unspent as evictions loom - June 6. Despite Charleston County taking applications for $12.4 million in federal rent and utility assistance on April 12, they still have about $9 million on hand. Why it matters: The issue seems not to be with the process, but with the outreach. Between 14 percent and 19 percent of South Carolinans are behind on rent, and officials say the challenge is reaching them before critical housing protections are set to expire..  -- The Post and Courier 

States rebound from bleak forecasts to pass record budgets - June 6. Spending plans for the budget year that begins July 1 are up 10% --  the largest increase, in Oklahoma,  is 18%. Why it matters: As we all remember at this point last year, states were laying off workers, schools grappled with big budget cuts, and large building projects paused. But experts say states face a very promising fiscal outlook over the next few years.  -- The Associated Press

Republicans call on Oregon Rep. Mike Nearman to resign, as possible House expulsion looms June 7. Nearman can be seen on video obtained by Oregon Public Broadcasting not only letting armed right wing rioters into the closed state house but also coaching them on how to do it five days prior to the December attack, in what he called “operation hall pass.” Why it matters: Nerman’s actions endangered the lives of many in the capital, including staff, and if expelled he will be the first member in the state's history.  -- OPB 

#POLITICSTRIVIA
By Tess Conciatori, @tkconch 
Politics associate producer

On this day in 1925, former First Lady Barbara Bush was born in New York City. Barbara Bush is best known as the wife of President George H.W. Bush, and mother of President George W. Bush, but she also had family ties to another former occupant of the White House. 

Our question: Which former president was distant cousins with Barbara Bush? 

Send your answers to [email protected] or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.

Last week, we asked: Where did President Gerald Ford play college football?

The answer: University of Michigan. 

Despite Chevy Chase’s famous portrayal of President Ford as a klutz, the 38th president had one of the most accomplished athletic careers of anyone who has held the office. Ford led the University of Michigan football team to national championships in 1932 and 1933, and the following year was voted most valuable player. Upon graduation, he turned down two offers to play professionally from the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.

Congratulations to our winner: Carolyn Griffin Hall!

Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your inbox next week.