WASHINGTON - Today, during National Police Week, the Committee on House Administration held a full committee hearing with United States Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Thomas Manger. 

In case you missed it, here are the top takeaways:
1.) Chief Manger confirms that Speaker Kevin McCarthy cleared security footage from January 6th with USCP before releasing to the public, and that House Democrat impeachment managers did not clear that same footage with USCP before releasing it.

Representative Barry Loudermilk (GA-11): "Regarding the surveillance that was made available to Fox News. There was only one clip that was on the U.S. Capitol Police sensitive list, and it was cleared by USCP beforehand, after it was pointed out that the same footage was previously released during impeachment hearings by House Democrats without being cleared. Is that correct?

Chief Manger: "I believe so, yes."
Click the image or here to view Representative Loudermilk's Q&A.
Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01): "I want to just take a moment to set the record straight on a handful of comments that came up earlier, in particular regarding Speaker McCarthy's decision to publicly release some video clips from January 6th. There was only one video clip that was on USCP’s “sensitive list” and it was cleared by USCP beforehand, is that correct?

Chief Manger: "I believe so."

Chairman Steil: "I believe it was after it was it was pointed out that the same footage was previously released during impeachment hearings by House Democrats. According to the USCP’s own declaration in federal court, specifically on page 5 footnote 2: 'There were a series of clips from Capitol Police cameras that were shown during the second impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump in February of 2023. None of those approximately 15 clips some from the "sensitive list" were shown to the Capitol Police beforehand, the impeachment managers simply requested the clips and they were provided.' Meaning that Democrats in the House took the clips, provided them, and did not have them be reviewed prior to release by Capitol Police"
Click the image or here to view Chairman Steil's remarks. 
2.) There must be greater transparency and accountability within the U.S. Capitol Police Board.

Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15): "In 2017, the Government Accountability Office was asked to review the Police Board's operations, including the Board's accountability and level of communication. The GAO report recommended the Police Board revise its manual of procedures, to fully incorporate leading practices, including evaluating its performance and engaging with stakeholders to incorporate their views as appropriate on any changes...

"It's previously been mentioned that the Police Board routinely up-classifies matters as well, which is problematic because the Police Board shouldn't have authority to do that and it also undermines transparency and accountability for those stakeholders and oversight."
Click the image or here to view Representative Lee's Q&A.
Representative Mike Carey (OH-15): "Would you support expanding the scope of the Inspector General to cover the Capitol Police Board, which is currently excluded from the oversight of that office?"

Chief Manger: "If you wanted an IG for the board, then who does the Board report to? Congressional leadership. So Congressional leadership would have to appoint that IG. "
Click the image or here to view Representative Carey's Q&A.
3.) Our front-line USCP officers need better training.

Representative Anthony D'Esposito (NY-04): "Do you believe that members of the Capitol Police need time for more training?

Chief Manger: "Yes... You've got to invest in training if you're a good police department."
Click the image or here to view Representative D'Esposito's Q&A.
4.) Chief Manger reveals that Yogananda Pittman, Former Assistant Chief of Police in charge of intelligence on January 6th, is currently on leave without pay so that she can collect retirement benefits next month, despite Ms. Pittman announcing her retirement and starting a new job with U.C. Berkeley in February.

Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05): "Typically a leave of absence, in my mind, would be grounds for returning to the position, after an extended leave. Why is it that Ms. Pittman is being allowed to leave, knowing that she won't return?"

Chief Manger: "Pursuant to a negotiated separation agreement, she was allowed to go on leave without pay... Her intent is to file her application for retirement in about 30 days."
Click the image or here to view Representative Bice's Q&A.
Representative Morgan Griffith (VA-09): "Are you aware of the U.S Capitol Police leave policy in Section 9, Subsection C, which says as a basic condition of approval of leave without pay, there must be a reasonable assurance that the member or civilian employee will return to duty at the end of the approved period?"

Chief Manger: "I am aware that this was a negotiated separation agreement."
...
Congressman Griffith: "That's in violation of the Capitol Police Board regulations prescribing unified leave system for members and civilian employees of the United States Capitol Police, is it not?"

Chief Manger: "It is not, if it's a negotiated separation agreement."

Rep. Griffith: "Where does it say that in here?"

Chief Manger: "Well it doesn't say that in there."
Click the image or here to view Representative Griffith's Q&A.

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