WASHINGTON —

Intelligence reports compiled by the U.S. Capitol Police in the days before last year's insurrection envisioned only an improbable or remote risk of violence, even as other assessments warned that crowds of potentially thousands of pro-Trump demonstrators could converge in Washington and create a dangerous situation.

The documents, obtained by The Associated Press, underscore the uneven and muddled intelligence that circulated to Capitol Police officers ahead of the Jan. 6 riot, when thousands of Donald Trump loyalists swarmed the Capitol complex and clashed violently with law enforcement officers in their effort to disrupt the certification of the results of the 2020 presidential election. The intelligence reports in particular show how the police agency, up to the day of the riot itself, grievously underestimated the prospect of chaotic violence and disruptions.

The contradictory intelligence produced by law enforcement leading up to the riot has been at the forefront of congressional scrutiny about the Jan. 6 preparations and response, with officials struggling to explain how they failed to anticipate and plan for the deadly riot at the Capitol that day. The shortcomings led to upheaval at the top ranks of the department, including the ouster of the chief, though the assistant chief in charge of protective and intelligence operations at the time remains in her position.

There was, according to a harshly critical Senate report issued in June, “a lack of consensus about the gravity of the threat posed on January 6, 2021.”

“Months following the attack on the U.S. Capitol, there is still no consensus among USCP officials about the intelligence reports’ threat analysis ahead of January 6, 2021,” the report stated.

The documents, known as a “daily intelligence report” and marked “For Official Use Only,” have been described over the last year in congressional testimony and in the Senate report. The AP on Friday evening obtained full versions of the documents for Jan. 4, 5 and 6 of last year. The New York Times highlighted the Jan. 4 report in a story last year on intelligence shortcomings.

On each of the three days, the documents showed, the Capitol Police ranked as “highly improbable” the probability of acts of civil disobedience and arrests arising from the “Stop the Steal” protest planned for the Capitol. The documents ranked that event and gatherings planned for Jan 6. by about 20 other organizers on a scale of “remote” to “nearly certain” in terms of the likelihood of major disruptions. All were rated as either “remote," “highly improbable" or “improbable,” the documents show.

“No further information has been found to the exact actions planned by this group,” the Jan. 6 report says about the “Stop the Steal” rally.

The Million MAGA March planned by Trump supporters is rated in the document as “improbable,” with officials saying it was “possible” that organizers could demonstrate at the Capitol complex, and that though there had been talk of counter-demonstrators, there are “no clear plans by those groups at this time.”

Another event by a group known as Prime Time Patriots was similarly described as having a “highly improbable” chance for disruption, with the report again stating that “no further information has been found to the exact actions planned by this group.”

Those optimistic forecasts are tough to square with separate intelligence assessments compiled by the Capitol Police in late December and early January. Those documents, also obtained by AP, warned that crowds could number in the thousands and include members of extremist groups like the Proud Boys.

A Jan. 3, 2021, memo, for instance, warned of a “significantly dangerous situation for law enforcement and the general public alike" because of the potential attendance of "white supremacists, militia members and others who actively promote violence."

“Unlike previous post-election protests, the targets of the pro-Trump supporters are not necessarily the counter-protestors as they were previously, but rather Congress itself is the target on the 6th," the report states.

Adding to the mixed intelligence portrait is a Jan. 5 bulletin prepared by the FBI's Norfolk field office that warned of the potential for “war” at the Capitol. Capitol Police leaders have said they were unaware of that document at the time. FBI Director Chris Wray has said the report was disseminated through the FBI’s joint terrorism task force, discussed at a command post in Washington and posted on an internet portal available to other law enforcement agencies.

Capitol Police officials have repeatedly insisted that they had no specific or credible intelligence that any demonstration at the Capitol would result in a large-scale attack on the building. Despite scrutiny of intelligence shortcomings, Yogananda Pittman, the assistant chief in charge of intelligence at the time of the riot, remains in that position.

The current police chief, J. Thomas Manger, defended Pittman in a September interview with the AP, pointing to her decision when she was acting chief to implement recommendations made by the inspector general and to expand the department’s internal intelligence capabilities so officers wouldn’t need to rely so heavily on intelligence gathered by other law enforcement agencies.

Video above: The AP sits down with the new chief of the Capitol Police

A whistleblower identifying as a former high-ranking U.S. Capitol Police official excoriated the department's leadership before, during and after the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection in a new letter to Congress.

The 16-page letter, obtained by CNN and first reported by Politico, claims two Capitol Police officials — assistant chief Yogananda Pittman and acting assistant chief Sean Gallagher — did not share vital intelligence with other police leadership and did not act to help officers once the violence began on Jan. 6, but haven't seen any consequences in the months since. The letter, dated Sept. 28, addresses leaders of the U.S. House and Senate.

The whistleblower said they are a former high-ranking officer with more than 30 years of service at the department who worked there at the time of the attack.

Some of the allegations in the letter mirror criticism contained in reports from the Senate Judiciary Committee and the inspector general. But the letter takes particular aim at department leadership — and accuses some congressional leaders of having "purposefully failed" to tell the truth about the department's failures.

The alleged failures of Pittman and Gallagher, the former department official wrote, have been "marginalized, negligibly investigated, categorically underreported and without accountability. In fact, as pointed out by many they have been restored to their exact same positions as if they were not responsible for the single greatest intelligence failure in the history of the U.S. Capitol Police is astounding."

The former department official alleges that the pair didn't share intelligence information with the department that would have "changed the paradigm of that day" and that during the attack, "they did not try to help or assist as officers and officials were literally fighting for each other, their lives and the Congress."

"What I observed was them mostly sitting there, blankly looking at the TV screens showing real-time footage of the officers and officials fighting for the Congress and their lives," the former department official, who said they were in the command center for part of the attack, wrote.

A law enforcement source defended Pittman and Gallagher to CNN, saying they did not fail to act, but instead were focused on successfully ensuring the protection of lawmakers, who were all evacuated without harm.

Still, the letter underscored the ways in which the Capitol Police department continues to grapple with the fallout of the Jan. 6 insurrection more than nine months after the attack. The mere shock of the event, and the criticism of the department that followed, has led the department to make some quick changes, like rank-and-file officers now getting daily intelligence alerts on their cell phones.

The Capitol Police executive team, which includes Pittman and Gallagher, said in a statement to CNN that "a lot has changed since Jan. 6" and though "there is more work to do, many of the problems described in the letter have been addressed."

"USCP leaders, under new Chief Tom Manger, are committed to learning from prior mistakes and protecting our brave officers, who fought valiantly on Jan. 6, so we can continue to carry out the Department's critical mission," the statement said.

"The men and women of this Department are committed to that critical mission. Our goal is to work as a team, to move forward, and advance the work that keeps the U.S. Capitol and the people who work here safe."

Both Pittman and Gallagher were among the force's top leadership that received a vote of no confidence from members of the department one month after the attack.

A vote of no confidence was among the most adversarial actions the union could take to express displeasure in leadership. The move signified USCP officers' deep frustrations with management and sent the loudest message officers can issue as a unified group.

The head of the U.S. Capitol Police will resign effective Jan. 16 following the breach of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.

Chief Steven Sund said Thursday that police had planned for a free speech demonstration and did not expect the violent attack. He said it was unlike anything he’d experienced in his 30 years in law enforcement.

He resigned Thursday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on him to step down. His resignation was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly.

The breach halted the effort by Congress to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Protesters stormed the building and occupied for hours. The lawmakers eventually returned and finished their work.

The United States Capitol Police said they arrested a man on Monday near the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington who was armed with multiple knives, including a bayonet and machete.

In a press release, the department said around midnight, a Special Operation Division officer noticed a Dodge Dakota pickup truck with a swastika and other white supremacist symbols painted on it outside the DNC headquarters.

The officer also noticed that a picture of an American flag was allegedly placed where the license plate should've been, the department said in the press release.

The officer then pulled the truck over and noticed a bayonet and machete inside the vehicle, which are illegal in Washington, D.C., the police said.

The California man, 44-year-old Donald Craighead, was arrested for possession of prohibited weapons.

“This is an excellent example of the work our officers do every day,” said Operational Services Bureau Deputy Chief Jason Bell. “We are so proud of these officers for their vigilance.”

Capitol Police said it's unclear at this time if Craighead was attempting to attend any upcoming demonstrations.

The US Capitol Police announced Thursday that permanent fencing will be installed surrounding the Capitol building following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection during the counting of Electoral College votes.

The permanent fencing comes one day after Homeland Security issued a warning about “domestic violent extremists” who may have become emboldened following this month’s attack of the US Capitol. Homeland Security warned that the Capitol and lawmakers will remain a target through early 2021.

“As I noted earlier this week, even before September 11, 2001, security experts argued that more needed to be done to protect the U.S. Capitol,” Yogananda D. Pittman, acting chief of the Capitol Police, said. “In fact, a 2006 security assessment specifically recommended the installation of a permanent perimeter fence around the Capitol.

“In light of recent events, I can unequivocally say that vast improvements to the physical security infrastructure must be made to include permanent fencing, and the availability of ready, back-up forces in close proximity to the Capitol.”

But Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is objecting to the plan.

"Based on conversations with federal partners, there are some potentially volatile events upcoming that will require extra security. Fencing and the presence of troops will be a part of that. But we will not accept extra troops or permanent fencing as a long-term fixture in DC," Bowser tweeted. "When the time is right, the fencing around the White House and U.S. Capitol, just like the plywood we’ve seen on our businesses for too long, will be taken down."

Earlier this week, the National Guard confirmed to Scripps that 5,000 members of the Guard will remain stationed at the US Capitol.

Illustrating the tense law enforcement scene still unfolding at the US Capitol, Capitol Police said a male suspect attempted to unlawfully to enter the Capitol complex on Thursday. The Capitol Police claimed the man actively resisted arrest.

Earlier this week, the FBI said it has identified 400 suspects and conducted 135 arrests stemming from the Jan. 6 riot.

Five people died amid the violence after a mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the counting of Electoral College votes. Among the deaths was a Capitol police officer who died a day after being assaulted. Dozens of other officers were injured in the ensuing melee.

Capitol Police is currently investigating 35 officers for their actions during the Jan. 6 insurrection of the Capitol, a spokesperson for the Capitol Police said in a statement on Friday.

Of the 35 officers, six are being suspended with pay.

The investigation is separate from a proposed inquiry that Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced earlier this week. Pelosi is calling for a “9/11 type commission” to look at what caused the Capitol insurrection, and the failures that ensued to protect the Capitol. The unprecedented security failure prompted the chief of the Capitol Police, House sergeant at arms and the Senate sergeant at arms all to resign.

While many videos documented the heroism of officers working to protect members of Congress during the Jan. 6 counting of the Electoral College, some questioned the actions of officers amid the riot. In one video, an officer could be seen wearing a Make America Great Again hat. A separate photo showed an officer taking a selfie with a rioter.

“Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not in keeping with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline,” the Capitol Police said in a statement.

Five people died amid the riot, including a Capitol Police officer. More than 140 officers were injured. The insurrection interrupted the counting of the Electoral College, and forced the Senate, House and Vice President Mike Pence to be moved to a secure location as a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump seized the Capitol building.

The Department of Justice said this week that 250 people have been charged in connection to the Capitol riot.

Despite the admonishment of some members of the Capitol Police, there have been bipartisan calls to honor those who labored to protect the Capitol on Jan. 6. Last week, the Senate voted to award Officer Eugene Goodman a Congressional Medal of Freedom. Also last week, Pelosi announced that she plans on introducing legislation to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal to the Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies involved in protecting the Capitol.

WASHINGTON —

U.S. Capitol Police said one officer has died and another was injured after someone drove a vehicle past an access point on Friday afternoon at the Capitol, ramming the two officers.

The driver got out of the vehicle while appearing to brandish a knife before being shot by authorities, Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said during an afternoon news conference.

During the news conference, Pittman announced the death of one of the officers. Capitol Police later said the officer was William "Billy" Evans, who had been with the force for 18 years.

No information about the injured officer was released.

The driver died after being shot by authorities, Pittman said. News outlets identified the suspect as Noah Green, 25, of Indiana.

Robert Contee, acting chief of Metropolitan Police Department, said the incident is "not an ongoing threat."

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Pittman said Metro Police continue investigating the incident.

Video showed National Guard troops mobilizing near the scene.

One witness, the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, said he was finishing a Good Friday service nearby when he suddenly heard three shots ring out.

The incident happened just after 1 p.m. about 100 yards from the entrance of the building on the Senate side of the Capitol. Fencing that prevented vehicular traffic near that area was recently removed as the Capitol has started to open up after the Jan. 6 riots.

The security checkpoint is typically used by senators and staff on weekdays. Congress is currently on recess.

Video posted online showed a dark colored sedan crashed against a vehicle barrier and a police K9 inspecting the vehicle.

President Joe Biden had just departed the White House for Camp David when the incident occurred. As customary, he was traveling with a member of the National Security Council Staff who was expected to brief him on the incident.

Vice President Kamala Harris said that Evans made the ultimate sacrifice and the country is mourning.

WASHINGTON (Video above from WJLA via CNN) —

A U.S. Capitol Police officer who died after a man rammed his car into him and another officer at a barricade was identified as an 18-year veteran of the force.

William "Billy" Evans joined the department in 2003 and was a member of its first responders unit.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken to learn of Friday's attack and expressed condolences to Evans' family. He directed flags at the White House to be lowered to half-staff. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed Evans as a "martyr for our democracy." She and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer both spoke Friday with members of Evans' family.

The death of the father of two is the latest moment of sorrow for a department after the loss of Brian Sicknick, who clashed with rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection and died a day later, and Howard Liebengood, who committed suicide days after that.

"He just always had a smile on his face, helping out," Chris Wystepek told WJLA-TV. He had just commented on his college friend's social media page the day before Evans was killed.

"All of a sudden, next day, it's like, that's it. He's gone," Wystepek said.

Video shows the driver of the crashed car emerging with a knife in his hand and starting to run at the pair of officers, Capitol Police acting Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters.

Authorities shot the suspect, identified by law enforcement officials as 25-year-old Noah Green. He died at a hospital.

Investigators were digging into his background and examining whether he had any history of mental health problems as they tried to discern a motive. They were working to obtain warrants to access his online accounts.

"Our thoughts and prayer are with the Officer who passed and his family," Larry Cosme, national president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, said in a statement. "He gave his life in dedication to protecting our nation's democracy and should be treated as a national hero. Our prayers also remain with the second officer battling injuries sustained in the attack. We hope for a swift recovery and commend both officers for their courageous actions."

Two Senate committees are set to release new reports later this month on the security failures surrounding the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, but they are leaving out President Donald Trump’s role in inciting the riot.

The lack of answers is insulting to many who defended the Capitol that day, including two officers who are speaking out about their experiences during the attack.

United States Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. at 12 years old in 1991 and deployed to Iraq in 2003. He joined the Capitol Police in 2008.

He is speaking publicly for the first time about Jan. 6, when he fought rioters trying to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election. He says those who breached the Capitol called him a "traitor."

"I served my country," Gonell said. "I went overseas to protect our homeland from foreign threats, but yet here I am battling them in our Capitol."

Gonell led members of the department’s civil disturbance unit. For hours, they battled the rioters attacking the Capitol.

"I got hurt. I would do it again if I have to, it's my job," Gonell said.

Gonell suffered a cut to his hand on Jan. 6. He also suffered a severe foot injury that later required surgery.

"They kept saying, 'Trump sent me. We won't listen to you. We are here to take over the Capitol, we're here to hang Mike Pence,'" Gonell said. "They thought we were there for them and we weren't, so they turned against us. It was very scary because I thought I was going to lose my life right there."

Some of the most horrific videos show Gonell steps from Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges, who got caught in a doorway.

"I could hear my fellow officers screaming, the agony in some of them," Gonell said. "All I could think was, 'we can't let these people in. There's going to be a slaughter inside.'"

While he fended off the attack outside, Officer Byron Evans locked down areas inside the Capitol and evacuated senators.

"I remember thinking, all that stuff like, 'Byron, this is the day. All those times you've given thought on what you would do, you're doing it,'" Evans said,

For hours, Evans and the senators watched the riot on TV from a secured location.

"I just remember the anger I felt when I saw those images — busting windows, climbing the walls and stuff like that, it was an audible gasp in the room," Evans said.

Around 6 p.m. that evening, the riot had calmed enough that Gonell could finally tell his wife he survived.

"I started texting my wife and I just said, 'I'm okay. See you whenever,'" Gonell said.

Congress resumed certifying the electoral college votes that night. Gonell arrived home around 3 a.m. the next morning but found little relief.

"When I came in, she wanted to hug me and I told her no because I was covered in pepper spray," Gonell said. "My hands were bleeding still, and I couldn't even sleep because I went and took a shower and instead of helping, that re-inflamed the chemicals."

Gonell said he later took a bath with milk in the hopes of washing out the pepper spray.

"That didn't help," he said.

Though they were still reeling from the worst attack the Capitol had seen in two centuries, Gonell, Evans and hundreds of other officers went back to work just hours later.

"I did give my wife a hug and started crying," Gonell said. "I didn't think I would be able to see them. I went to my son's bed and gave him a hug, he was asleep still, gave him a kiss. And I just started crying for 5-10 minutes. I just cried. She kept telling me it was going to be okay. I'm like, 'no, I've got to go back to work.;"

For him, the riot is hardly in the rearview. The failure of a bill to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the causes of the riot left him devastated and gave him a reason to speak out

"It hurts me that the country that I love, that I came in, that I have sacrificed so much for, doesn't care about us. They don't," Gonell said.

To date, more than 400 people have been charged in the riot.