Sara A. Carter by Jenny Goldsberry
An alleged letter from the Capitol Police started making the rounds among Democrat politicians Wednesday night, expressing “profound disappointment” that some Republicans saw no need for a Jan. 6th commission. But, turns out, the letter may have been fake.
The letter used the USCP letterhead, but it wasn’t signed by the Chief of Police, or any named officers. Instead it was signed by “proud members of the United States Capitol Police.” It was allegedly anonymous for a reason. “Unfortunately, this letter comes to you anonymously because as US Capitol Police Officers, we are expected to remain neutral and do our jobs with honor and integrity,” the letter reads.
These “anonymous officers” wanted to “express [their] profound disappointment with the recent comments from both chambers’ minority leaders expressing no need for a Jan 6th commission.” They blast members for downplaying what happened during those Capitol riots. “It is a privileged assumption for Members to have the point of view that it ‘wasn’t that bad’. [sic]” they write. “That privilege exists because of the brave men and women of the USCP protected you, the Members.”
Then, it was tweeted out by huge Democratic figures like former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). This letter became fuel to rally support for the commission.
It’s worth reading this letter from members of the Capitol Police in full. They deserve answers on the events of January 6. The American people do, too. https://t.co/H163cXijvM
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 19, 2021
It's unfortunate that Kevin McCarthy and Republicans are petrified of the truth. https://t.co/BDQw1Kmk5v
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) May 19, 2021
But, the USCP made a statement to clear the air. “This is NOT an official USCP statement,” the statement read. “The Department has no way of confirming it was even authored by USCP personnel.” Finally the truth was out. “The U.S. Capitol Police does NOT take positions on legislation.”
USCP does NOT take positions on legislation. pic.twitter.com/LSu38jbIqd
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) May 19, 2021
Still, there were many unanswered questions. For one, people questioned how whoever wrote this letter got ahold of the official letterhead. Another problem was how the letter began circulating in the first place.
How did an unofficial, unverified, anonymous letter circulated by House Democrats get published on official Capitol Police letterhead? https://t.co/bF2GvTLCtN
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) May 19, 2021
The letter is traced back to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). He published the letter in a press release on his site. It is still unknown why the “anonymous officers” came to him. Raskin is a huge proponent for the commission. In the press release he wrote: “I want to salute all the brave Capitol Police officers who defended us on January 6th and thank the ones who penned a powerful anonymous letter about the trauma and anguish they faced while protecting Members of Congress, our staff, our Capitol, and our democracy on January 6th.”
Later, Raskin spoke to reporter Rebecca Kaplan saying: “I have no doubt that this is coming from real capitol officers.”
On their decision to remain anonymous: "They’re not accustomed to being political and they're not supposed to be political, but this is something that affects them directly, that they feel very strongly about, so they have to express themselves anonymously."
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) May 19, 2021
