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Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund announced his resignation Thursday, a day after protesters breached the Capitol, overran his officers and prompted condemnations from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in Washington.
One officer has died from his injuries taking the death toll from yesterday’s attack to 5.
“It has been a pleasure and true honor to serve the United States Capitol Police Board and the Congressional community alongside the women and men of the United States Capitol Police,” he wrote.
He said the resignation would take effect Sunday, Jan 16.
During a news conference about charges against the rioters earlier in the day, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin had said that the Capitol Police’s handling of the breach “made our job more difficult.”
“Why they (those who broke in) weren’t zip-tied as they left the building, I don’t know.” Sherwin said.
“When we arrived, it was obvious that our fellow officers of the U.S. Capitol Police were trying valiantly to stop the onslaught of rioters,” the union said. “While it is unclear at this preliminary stage exactly how the building was breached so quickly, it appears likely that U.S. Capitol Police leadership was ill-prepared for this attack, both in manpower and in resources.”