Security officials cast blame for failures before US Capitol riot

Former Capitol Police chief Steven Sund described a scene that was “like nothing” he had seen in his 30 years of policing.

FILE – In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. Congress is set to hear from former security officials about what went wrong at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. That’s when when a violent mob laid siege to the Capitol and interrupted the counting of electoral votes. Three of the four testifying Tuesday resigned under pressure immediately after the attack, including the former head of the Capitol Police. Much is still unknown about the attack, and lawmakers are demanding answers. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Former security officials have blamed faulty intelligence for the disastrous failure to anticipate the violent intentions of the mob that invaded the US Capitol and interrupted the certification of the presidential election.

Giving evidence for the first time about the insurrection, officials including the former chief of the Capitol Police blamed other federal agencies — and each other — for their failure to defend the building as supporters of then-president Donald Trump overwhelmed security barriers, breaking windows and doors and sending legislators fleeing from the House and Senate chambers.