Lawmakers question USCP

Lawmakers are questioning U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse about his controversial decision to allow anti-war protesters to spray paint a portion of the Capitol west-front terrace this past weekend.

Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s legislative branch subcommittee, wrote a letter to Morse yesterday saying that he is “disgusted” that anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint the terrace as police watched.

“I am disgusted by these actions, and the lack of efforts to protect public integrity,” Allard stated in his letter. “I am absolutely dismayed by the vandalism and the blatant disregard for respect of property that occurred at our Nation’s Capitol this weekend.”

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee’s legislative branch subcommittee, was less critical of the USCP, and plans to discuss the event at a prearranged meeting tomorrow, said spokesman Jonathan Beeton yesterday.

“I’m not sure that anybody’s too pleased about the way this turned out,” Beeton said. However, Wasserman Schultz does not want to question Morse’s “judgment when he was on the ground and she wasn’t. There’s a balance that they have to strike. It’s a very difficult job.”

The USCP Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) rejected attempts to downplay the situation.

“The officers of the U.S. Capitol Police are upset that some of this weekend’s demonstrators were able to deface part of the Capitol Complex,” Andy Maybo, chairman of the Capitol Police FOP, said in a statement yesterday. “The officers, who did their job both professionally and courageously, were ordered to withdraw by their officials and let the demonstrators have the area where the graffiti was later discovered.”

He added, “But, we must follow the orders of our officials even when we may disagree with such orders. We are just thankful that no one was injured.”

New details have surfaced regarding the incident where protesters were allowed to scrawl graffiti on the lower west terrace of the Capitol building.

According to a Democratic leadership aide, 50 to 60 protesters, rather than the 300 figure that was reported by The Hill over the weekend, were involved in the act of vandalism, which took place after the main peace march took place. The aide said a large tour group was leaving the Capitol simultaneously as the protesters approached the Capitol. The staffer also said that contrary to initial accounts, the Capitol was not shut down in the wake of the protesters approaching the building.

While the Democratic aide said that the graffiti was mainly made with chalk and spray paint, other sources detailed the use of permanent markers as well as spray paint.

A police source indicated police took photographs and video after the incident occurred. The photos were not made available to the press. According to sources, police were ordered by Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols to break their security line and fall back from 3rd Street S.W. to the Capitol steps.

Morse did not comment on Allard’s letter when contacted yesterday.

Architect of the Capitol staff was quick to remove the spray paint, Morse told The Hill on Sunday.

“I would like to know if it is in fact true that Capitol Police were given specific guidance regarding the protests, and if so, why were they instructed to allow these acts of vandalism?” wrote Allard. “As ranking member of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, I am requesting an immediate meeting with you to discuss the facts surrounding the defacing of our Nation’s Capitol.”

Under U.S. law, it is unlawful to deface the U.S. Capitol, Allard wrote.

“Law enforcement is expected to enforce these statutes,” Allard continued. “And I am appalled that the deliberate violation of this law was tolerated.”

Allard spokesman Steve Wymer said that Allard wrote the letter because several police officers called his office to voice their concerns about the incident.

United for Peace and Justice, the group that organized the event, said that at least 500,000 people rallied on the National Mall this weekend.

Yesterday, nine protesters were arrested in the Rayburn Office Building for unlawful assembly, police spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Schneider said.