Tucker Carlson’s recent episode on his show on X, formerly known as Twitter, featured an interview with former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund. The interview, which was filmed earlier in the year and couldn’t air due to Carlson’s departure from Fox, revealed some striking insights into the events of January 6 and the subsequent investigations.
Sund highlighted a significant revelation: several other agencies possessed intelligence indicating the potential danger of January 6, but this information wasn’t shared with him. Despite receiving intelligence suggesting the event would be similar to other MAGA rallies, Sund was left unaware of more concerning intelligence gathered by the FBI, DHS, and the military. He raised questions about why the standard procedure for sharing such information was not followed for January 6.
Sund disclosed that he was on a conference call with law enforcement leaders, the FBI, the National Guard, and the military on January 5, but the sensitive intelligence was not shared with him or the head of the D.C. Metro Police. He noted the unique handling of intelligence for the January 6 event compared to standard procedures, raising concerns about why such deviations occurred.
Sund also discussed his struggles to secure National Guard assistance before and during the attack. He described the delays in obtaining approval to deploy the National Guard, which hindered the response to the violent breach. Despite escalating pleas for help, bureaucratic processes impeded swift action, allowing the attack to unfold for over an hour.
Furthermore, Sund revealed that even after receiving approval, he encountered resistance from military officials concerned about the “optics” of sending in the National Guard. This delayed response highlights a disturbing misallocation of priorities in protecting the Capitol during a critical moment.
Sund’s account shed light on the failures in the chain of command and communication breakdowns that plagued the response to the Capitol breach. He expressed frustration that these failures weren’t adequately addressed by the January 6 Committee, underscoring the need for a comprehensive investigation.
Sund’s interview also delved into incidents preceding January 6, such as the 2020 riots around the White House. He revealed that higher-ups prevented the D.C. Metropolitan Police from providing aid to protect the White House during those riots, leading to concerns about unequal application of justice. Sund’s insights underscore the need for a thorough examination of these events and their implications for the rule of law.
Overall, Sund’s revelations raise significant questions about the intelligence sharing, response coordination, and accountability in the events surrounding January 6 and the broader context of law enforcement actions.
