Leader of the majority of the Senate Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellCongress Confirms Biden Wins After Rioters Terrorist Capitol Congress Rejects Challenge To Arizona Presidential Election. White House assists with departure after Capitol chaos MORE (R-Ky.) Forced Senate Sergeant-at-arms Michael Stenger a day after rioters broke into the Capitol, the GOP leader announced Thursday night.
“Today I filed for the immediate resignation of Michael Stenger, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorman,” McConnell said in a statement.
Deputy Sergeant-at-arms Jennifer Hemingway becomes the acting SAA. The Senate Sergeant-at-ams office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“I thank Jennifer in advance for her service as we begin to investigate and continue to investigate the serious failures revealed yesterday and continue our preparations for a safe and successful inauguration on January 20th,” McConnell added.
McConnell’s announcement is the latest sign of cleanup among top officials following a massive security flaw in the Capitol on Wednesday, when rioters were able to breach the perimeter and enter the building, eventually reaching both the House and Senate.
The crowd resulted in lawmakers being dragged out of both chambers and taken to safe locations and the joint session intended to count the electoral college vote was suspended for hours. Capitol Police worked to contain crowds of rioters.
In addition to Stenger, Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund and House Speaker will resign later this month Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiCongress confirms Biden wins after Capitol Third House rioters terrorize lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19 this week West Virginia lawmaker livestreams herself to crowd in Capitol: MORE report (D-Calif.) Announced earlier Thursday that House sergeant-at-arms Paul Irving had also tendered his resignation.
McConnell in a statement earlier Thursday thanked the police officers on the front lines, but promised a “close investigation and thorough review” of the incident.
“The ultimate blame for yesterday lies with the outraged criminals who broke down doors, trampled our nation’s flag, fought with law enforcement and tried to disrupt our democracy, and those who incited them,” he said in a statement earlier Thursday. “But this fact does not and will not prevent us from addressing the shocking shortcomings in the Capitol’s security position and protocols.”
Even if McConnell hadn’t asked for Stenger’s resignation, his days in office were numbered after the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Chuck SchumerCongress Confirms Biden Wins After Rioters Terrorist Capitol Cori Bush Introduces Legislation to Sanction Remove All House Members Who Supported Election Challenges Pelosi and Schumer Call on Trump to Demand All Protesters Leave Capitol (DN.Y.) promised to fire him if he had not resigned by the time the Democrats take over the majority on Jan. 20.
And calls for his impeachment had bipartisan support with Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin Graham Trump Acknowledges End Of Presidency After Congress Declares Biden Wins GOP Senators Blame Trump After Mafia Crossed Capitol Lindsey Graham Says Enough Is Enough About Trump’s Bid To Reverse Elections make: ‘Count me out’ MORE (RS.C.) told reporters at a press conference that he supported Schumer’s decision.
“Everyone responsible for defending the Capitol has failed,” Graham said. “The first thing that needs to be done is to hold those to account for not defending the Capitol while Congress was going on.”