Pelosi says Capitol is safer – one day before gun brought into building

Less than one-third of the 200 security recommendations given after the Jan. 6 riot have been made.
Nancy Pelosi, Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2021

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said, "of course" she believes that the U.S. Capitol is safer than it was before the Jan. 6 attack. The next day, an employee brought a gun into a House office building for several minutes before being caught.

A congressional staffer brought a gun into a Capitol complex office building Thursday morning. He went through security, into the building and four minutes later, Capitol Police arrested him after noticing the gun on the x-ray screen.

"​​We will always ensure that that is the case, and we are having all of the reviews of what we pass into law and how that is being implemented," the speaker said. She reiterated that she believes President Donald Trump incited the riot, but, "We can see actions being taken to protect the Capitol more further."

House Chief Administrative Office staffer Jeffrey Allsbrooks told officers he forgot he left the gun in his bag. The department plans to charge him with carrying a gun without a license, and is investigating "what happened before, during and after those four minutes."

U.S. Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton told Congress on Tuesday that he does not feel the department has improved safety enough since the Jan. 6 attack.

"Although the Department has addressed some of our recommendations and have made security improvements throughout the Capitol Complex, much work still needs to be addressed in relation to Training, Intelligence, cultural change and Operational Planning," he said according to The Hill.

Less than one-third of the 200 security recommendations initially given by the department have been made, according to the inspector general.

The police force "still has more work" to do, he said.