Retired Secret Service agent reacts to chaos at the US Capitol
Supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and clashes with police.
Supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and clashes with police.
Supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and clashes with police.
A chaotic and violent scene unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday,
"I've never seen a time where any federal building was overrun like that," said Jeff James, a retired Assistant Special Agent in charge.
Supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and clashes with police.
"It was a tough assignment for the Capitol police," James said. "It's a huge complex, it was a lot of people coming at them all at once, and they, much like the Secret Service are a small agency."
Jeff James worked as a Secret Service agent from the Clinton administration up until he retired two years ago.
He told sister station WTAE that Capitol police had no choice but to retreat until help from the National Guard arrived.
"I know in a lot of ways retreating feels like losing but sometimes you're better off," James said. "Securing the people you're supposed to protect in an area you know is secure and hunkering down there."
James says those involved could be charged with burglary and breaking and entering and could face even more serious charges if they were carrying firearms. Washington D.C. has a zero-tolerance policy for carrying firearms.
