Members of Congress request investigation of tours that took place 1 day before attack on Capitol
From CNN's Ryan Nobles and Annie Grayer
One day after Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat from New Jersey, alleged that members of Congress led tours of rioters on a reconnaissance mission the day before the attack on the Capitol, 31 members of Congress sent a letter to the acting House Sergeant of Arms, acting Senate Sergeant of Arms, and acting chief of the US Capitol Police asking them to investigate the matter further.
Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, one of the co-signers of the letter, confirmed to CNN that she saw groups of tours of people in MAGA apparel one or two days before the attack.
"I had seen what appeared to be tour groups of folks dressed in MAGA attire, in the halls, in the tunnels" Scanlon told CNN. "I don't know exactly what day it was. It was just surprising to see that happen because since Covid the building's been shut down. There aren't supposed to be any tours. So I kind of assumed it must be a new member who didn't know the rules or something. But, I mean, I can verify that it happened. There were people who were roaming around in the halls, apparently under the guidance of congressional staff."
Scanlon told CNN she saw a group of six to eight people.
"Many of the Members who signed this letter, including those of us who have served in the military and are trained to recognize suspicious activity, as well as various members of our staff, witnessed an extremely high number of outside groups in the complex on Tuesday, Jan. 5," the letter stated.
It says the tours were "unusual" and "concerning" and were reported to the Sergeant at Arms on Jan. 5. The letter said the groups "could only have gained access to the Capitol complex from a member of Congress or a member of their staff."
