Capitol Hill police chief resigns after calls to step down over ‘failure of leadership’

Steve Sund had prepared for First Amendment protests but instead encountered mass ‘criminal riotous behaviour’

US Capitol Police chief Steve Sund has resigned effective 16 January, according to reports.

It follows calls from Nancy Pelosi for Mr Sund to step down for a “failure of leadership”, and will see him leave the position just days before the inauguration of Joe Biden. 

The resignation was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter to the Associated Press, and comes after the House Sergeant at Arms, Paul D Irving, submitted his resignation to Ms Pelosi.

In a statement on Thursday morning, Mr Sund said that Capitol Police had a "robust plan" to address peaceful First Amendment protests, but what they encountered was criminal riotous behaviour.

“The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was unlike any I have ever experienced in my 30 years in law enforcement here in Washington, DC,” he said.  

"But make no mistake – these mass riots were not First Amendment activities; they were criminal riotous behaviour.  The actions of the USCP officers were heroic given the situation they faced," he added.

Those excuses were not enough for Ms Pelosi, who said during a press conference on Thursday that Mr Sund hadn’t even contacted Congressional leadership following the chaos at the Capitol.

“Many of our Capitol police acted so bravely and with such concern for the staff and the members, for the Capitol of the United States, and they deserve our gratitude,” Ms Pelosi said.

"There was a failure of leadership at the top of the Capitol Police,” she said.

Ms Pelosi said the failure goes beyond the Capitol police to the FBI, the Department of Defence and the National Guard.

Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer said he would fire Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger if he isn’t gone by the time Democrats take control, he would be fired.  

Mitch McConnell said bipartisan discussions have already begun about investigating the massive failure of institutions, protocols, and planning that are supposed to protect the first branch of our federal government.

“The ultimate blame for yesterday lies with the unhinged criminals who broke down doors, trampled our nation’s flag, fought with law enforcement, and tried to disrupt our democracy, and with those who incited them,” Mr McConnell said.  

“But this fact does not and will not preclude our addressing the shocking failures in the Capitol’s security posture and protocols.”