in

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger – who was in charge of Capitol security on January 6 and who blamed ‘professional agitators’ – dies suddenly, hours before TODAY’s surprise hearing moved up because of ‘safety concerns’ for Mark Meadows’ top aide

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger - who was in charge of Capitol security on January 6 and who blamed 'professional agitators' - dies suddenly
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger - who was in charge of Capitol security on January 6 and who blamed 'professional agitators' - dies suddenly
  • Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger, 71, died suddenly on Monday 
  • He was in charge of securing the Capitol on January 6 and resigned after attack
  • His death came on the same day a shock Committee session was announced 
  • The January 6 Committee will hear from an aide to Trump’s chief of staff Tuesday
  • Cassidy Hutchinson is first White House staff to testify publicly at the committee
  • The hearing was set at the last minute because of fears for her safety 
  • She told the January 6 committee that Trump approved of ‘hang Pence’ chants 

The man in charge of protecting the Senate during the Capitol riot has died just a day before the Committee investigating the attack was set to reveal new evidence in a surprise session.

Michael Stenger, 71, was the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate on the day of the attempted insurrection.

 

He resigned amid criticism he had failed to react effectively to the building being overrun.

His sudden death on Monday came the same day an unexpected additional hearing of the committee investigating the riot was announced.

The surprise meeting will ‘present recently obtained evidence and receive witness testimony.’

The committee is set to hear from Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows, on Tuesday.

Punchbowl News reported that the hearing was set because of ‘sincere concerns’ for Hutchinson’s physical safety over her revelations to the panel, including her claims that Trump approved of ‘hang Mike Pence’

She will be the first White House employee to testify publicly before the committee.

Michael Stenger, 71, (pictured) who was Sergeant at Arms of the Senate during the Capitol riot, died on Monday
Michael Stenger, 71, (pictured) who was Sergeant at Arms of the Senate during the Capitol riot, died on Monday
He resigned after the riot amid criticism he had failed to react effectively to the building being overrun. His sudden death on Monday came the same day an unexpected additional hearing of the committee investigating the riot was announced
He resigned after the riot amid criticism he had failed to react effectively to the building being overrun. His sudden death on Monday came the same day an unexpected additional hearing of the committee investigating the riot was announced

Stenger, right, is seen with Mike Pence heading to the House chamber on January 7, 2021, for the final certification of the election. Stenger would resign hours after this photo was taken
Stenger, right, is seen with Mike Pence heading to the House chamber on January 7, 2021, for the final certification of the election. Stenger would resign hours after this photo was taken.

 

Cassidy Hutchinson is seen speaking to the January 6 Committee. On Tuesday she will testify in public in a surprise hearing
Cassidy Hutchinson is seen speaking to the January 6 Committee. On Tuesday she will testify in public in a surprise hearing

 

Hutchinson's testimony is seen being broadcast to the committee hearing on June 23
Hutchinson’s testimony is seen being broadcast to the committee hearing on June 23

Hutchinson was present during meetings between Meadows and multiple House Republicans who backed Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election.

She also said that she saw Meadows burn documents.

Meadows has been subpoenaed by the committee, but refused to cooperate.

‘I know that he was on several calls during the rally,’ Hutchinson testified.

‘And I went over to meet with him at one point, and he had just waved me away, which is out of the ordinary.’

The shock additional hearing was reportedly kept a secret in part owing to security threats to a witness, the Washington Post reported.

Stenger (left) and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont (right) are seen speaking on January 6 after the riot, as Congress resumed its session. The pair are watched over by police
Stenger (left) and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont (right) are seen speaking on January 6 after the riot, as Congress resumed its session. The pair are watched over by police
The Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence left the floor of Congress as hundreds of demonstrators swarmed past barricades surrounding the building where lawmakers were debating Joe Biden's victory in the Electoral College
The Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence left the floor of Congress as hundreds of demonstrators swarmed past barricades surrounding the building where lawmakers were debating Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.

 

Stenger previously served in the United States Marine Corps, and spent 35 years in the Secret Service.

He was the chief law enforcement officer and head of protocol for the chamber since April 2018.

In February 2021, Stenger told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that the role of ‘professional agitators’ needed to be investigated.

He said: ‘There is an opportunity to learn lessons from the events of January 6.

‘Investigations should be considered as to funding and travel of what appears to be professional agitators.

 

‘First Amendment rights should always be considered in conjunction with professional investigations.’

Stenger was born in New Jersey, and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in the state, graduating with a BA in arts.

He lived in Falls Church, Virginia, with his wife Janet. The pair are believed to have two adult children.

Stenger rose to be a captain in the Marines, before joining the Secret Service.

Stenger rose to be a captain in the Marines, before joining the Secret Service.

Karen Gibson is the current Sergeant at Arms for the Senate
Karen Gibson is the current Sergeant at Arms for the Senate

He worked on protective details before taking leadership roles – first as an assistant director for the Office of Investigations, and then in the Office of Protective Research.

By the time he left the Secret Service, he had risen to be the third in command, Roll Call reported.

In 2011, he first took a job at the Senate, serving as Assistant Sergeant at Arms for protective services and continuity.

In 2014, when Drew Willison, a longtime aide to former Democratic leader Harry Reid, became Sergeant at Arms, he made Stenger his deputy.

‘Mike and I are definitely planning to work as a team,’ Willison said in 2014, in an interview with Roll Call.

He said at the time that he expected Stenger will ‘naturally gravitate’ toward security.

‘Security is going to be critically important, but I want to continue to focus on the back half of it, which is going to be everybody’s day-to-day interaction on the customer service end.’

Stenger also served as deputy to Frank Larkin, who served as Sergeant at Arms from 2015-18.

When Larkin stepped down, Mitch McConnell appointed Stenger to succeed him.

‘I appreciate Mike stepping up to this critical role,’ said McConnell at the time.

‘He is extremely well-qualified and will continue to serve the Senate and our nation well.’

Stenger’s full-time replacement, who currently serves as Sergeant at Arms, is Karen Gibson, who took over on March 22, 2021, after a 33-year military career.

What do you think?

Written by colinnew

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

100 Vehicles Catch fire in Delhi’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station – India

100 Vehicles Catch fire in Delhi’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station – India

Lawsuits Pile Up Against BC COVID-19 Mandates

Lawsuits Pile Up Against BC COVID-19 Mandates