The Defense Department is under scrutiny over its actions related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the United States Capitol building. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee, sent a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General (Dod IG) criticizing the agency’s report on the matter.
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The letter argues that the Inspector General’s report is riddled with inaccuracies, omissions, and biased narratives that obscure the truth surrounding the incident.
Loudermilk’s letter refutes the report’s claims that the Defense Department’s actions were “appropriate” and “reasonable” despite its failure to deploy the National Guard in time to prevent violence.
“The DoD IG knowingly concealed the extent of the delay in constructing a narrative that is favorable to DoD and Pentagon leadership,” the letter reads.
Loudermilk accuses the DoD of intentionally delaying the deployment of the DC National Guard (DCNG) during the riot, citing testimony from DCNG personnel. He also claimed the agency refused to adequately investigate these delays and omitted evidence. The letter refers to “Secretary [Ryan] McCarthy’s failure to communicate the Secretary of Defense’s order to the DCNG Commander – to immediately deploy forces to the Capitol at 3:04 p.m.”
The chairman argued that the Inspector General’s failure to properly review the DoD’s response shows that it was “complicit” in hiding the truth.
“The inability of the DoD IG to adequately review these and other DoD actions on January 6 has informed the Subcommittee’s finding that DoD IG is complicit in intentionally concealing DoD actions to delay the DCNG’s response.”
Loudermilk alleges that the DoD IG excluded testimony from DCNG personnel who contradicted the report’s findings. “Colonel Earl Matthews testified that the Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy, was not in communication with the DCNG and that their response to the Capitol was ‘most certainly delayed,’” he wrote.
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“The Subcommittee is deeply concerned that the DoD IG’s failure to interview witnesses who testify to a contradictory account of events of January 6 erode any suggestion that this report is correct or unbiased.”
The Inspector General also falsely accused Major General Walker of providing false testimony while speaking before Congress, referring to comments made by unnamed junior Army staff members who claimed Walker’s testimony was inaccurate. However, Colonel Craig Hunter, DCNG Task Force Commander, confirmed under oath that Walker’s statements were correct.
“A witness who lies to Congress can be convicted of perjury. Publishing these comments without any substantiating evidence was negligent and reckless,” the letter reads, pointing to the seriousness of the false allegations against Walker.
The DoD IG’s report allegedly fabricated a phone call between McCarthy and Walker, according to the letter. Both parties testified under oath that the call never happened. “Inventing a critical phone call between Secretary McCarthy and Major General William Walker in the absence of any evidence violates all investigative standards,” the letter reads.
The DoD IG also falsely claimed the DCNG was not prepared to handle a civil disturbance on Jan. 6, 2021. Yet, the letter suggests there is evidence that this claim is also deceptive. McCarthy had been briefed on the DCNG’s capabilities and observed their rehearsals for civil disturbance operations, a detail that was omitted from the DoD IG’s report.
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Chairman Loudermilk’s letter appears to have poked several gaping holes in the DoD IG’s report, uncovering how it allegedly fabricated details while concealing facts that could cast the agency in a negative light.
If the content of the letter is accurate, it seems clear that the Defense Department did not do its job on Jan. 6, and its leadership is trying desperately to cover their tails. But, now that the 2024 election is over and President-elect Donald Trump will become the new president, it is unlikely that we will hear much about Jan. 6 again, which means those who dropped the ball will never face accountability.
