Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) sent a letter to House Administration Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren and House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn Maloney calling on the Chairwomen to coordinate with relevant committees to initiate immediate and transparent investigations into the unprecedented insurrection by violent white supremacist domestic terrorists at the Capitol on Wednesday. 

“Across the United States and around the world, people watched in horror as hundreds violently stormed the U.S. Capitol building—easily overtaking barricades, breaching security and eventually occupying the Senate floor and Capitol rotunda bringing Congress’s constitutionally mandated work to a screeching halt,” wrote the Congresswoman. “Wednesday’s domestic terrorist attack will forever be remembered as one of the most dangerous days in Congressional history. It is incumbent upon us to thoroughly examine the actions that transpired, review the failed response and hold the appropriate individuals and agencies to account.”

In her letter, Congresswoman Pressley urged the Chairwomen to investigate how the domestic terrorists carried out this attack in what has historically been one of the most secure government buildings in the world, putting staff, members of Congress, and our democracy in jeopardy. Pressley cited the contrast between yesterday’s events and the coordination and tactics on display when peaceful protestors advocating for disability rights, healthcare access and reproductive justice have assembled at the Capitol.

“To be clear, there is no need to speculate how the response would have been different if it were a group of mostly Black people instead of mostly White people scaling the Capitol building, breaking windows, and ravaging the halls of Congress,” the Congresswoman continued.

Within hours of Tuesday’s attack, Rep. Pressley called for the impeachment and removal of Donald Trump for the role he played in inciting the violence. Earlier today, she introduced Articles of Impeachment in partnership with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05). In 2019, she was among the first members of Congress to call for his impeachment. Pressley has been a leading voice on the House Committee on Oversight & Reform on issues of white supremacy terrorism and racism in America.

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