Preparing for what's coming
The political calculations now consuming both parties' brass are playing out against the backdrop of more imminent threats. Security concerns ahead of Biden's January 20 inaugural are growing. Chatter on right-wing, pro-Trump social media forums has turned increasingly virulent -- and it is unclear whether the President, even if he so chose, could rein it in.
John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab, told CNN that his group is seeing evidence that the inauguration could become another flashpoint.
"While the broader public was aghast at what happened (Wednesday) at the Capitol, in certain corners of the sort of right wing conversation, what happened," he said, "is viewed as a success."
After the failure to protect the Capitol last week, there is new concern on the part of some Democrats that the safety of Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris could be compromised. Even a brief survey of the better known right-wing, pro-Trump online hubs makes clear the severity of the threat -- one that has, for too long, been waved off as anonymous bluster.
Worries over future violence extend beyond the Capitol and its immediate surroundings. American and United Airlines, with the support of two flight attendants' unions, have taken steps to beef up security in the air and on the ground. Both carriers have increased staffing at DC-area airports, which will also see deployments of Capitol Police ahead of Inauguration Day, and American has put a stop on alcohol service on flights into and out of the region.
Members of Congress will be provided with increased security -- in a coordinated effort by the Capitol Police, the Sergeant at Arms' office and the US Marshals Service -- while traveling through airports after several senators, including South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham -- who broke with the President last week -- were harassed by other travelers.
On the Hill, Democratic lawmakers are beginning to consider their options, understanding that, but for the insurrectionists' brutish bumbling and the actions of some in the rank-and-file of the Capitol police force, the toll could have been much worse. Some have begun to plant the seeds for a root-and-branch review of security at the Capitol, examining not only logistics but the makeup of the personnel entrusted to protect them.
New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman is drafting legislation that would form a commission to investigate the Capitol Police, which has in some cases been accused of either standing down too easily or even welcoming -- as in the case of an officer who appeared to pose for a selfie with an insurrectionist -- the mob into the building on Wednesday.
"Why was a fascist, white supremacist mob able to overwhelm Capitol Police? Do ties exist between the white supremacists who launched that attack and members of the police force?," Bowman tweeted. "We need answers."
House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Grace Meng, also of New York, publicly backed the legislation and Democratic committee leadership, noting its role in funding the force, said in a statement that "the breach of the Capitol raises serious questions about what law enforcement did and what they should have done differently."
The Democrats also praised the bravery of some officers, including Brian Sicknick, who died, according to officials, "due to injuries sustained while on duty."
The US Attorney's office is planning a federal murder investigation in connection to his death, a law enforcement source told CNN on Friday.
