A U.S. Capitol Police officer told his units to only focus on “anti-Trump” protesters during the Jan. 6 riot, CNN reported Thursday, citing an internal investigation.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), head of the House Administration Committee, drew attention to the probe during Wednesday’s panel hearing on security failures the day of the deadly insurrection. Lofgren said one radio transmission revealed that officers were instructed to disregard Trump supporters.
“Attention all units on the field, we’re not looking for any pro-Trump in the crowd. We’re only looking for any anti pro-Trump who want to start a fight,” the officer said, according to Lofgren.
The Capitol Police disputed that reading, saying in a statement Thursday: “The radio call has been misquoted and is lacking full and necessary context.”
“The radio call does not mean USCP was only looking out for anti-Trump counter protestors. The next radio transmission requests that officers be on the lookout for a pro-Trump protester carrying a possible weapon,” Capitol Police said, adding that radio transmissions from Jan. 6 are not under an internal investigation.
Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton said Wednesday that he had yet to read internal reports from the investigation, according to CNN.
The internal investigation involves 36 Capitol Police officers involved in the riot, where Trump supporters stormed the Capitol trying to stop the count of President Biden’s Electoral College victory.
Updated at 4:02 p.m.