Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the lower chamber of the Congress, nominated a Washington military commander to serve as the top Chamber law enforcement officer, who would become the first African-American to play that role.
Commander General-Major William Walker, from the Columbia National Guard District, has criticized the Pentagon for taking hours to approve requests by U.S. Capitol police for national guard troops to help respond to the congress attack by supporters from Donald Trump. Five people were killed in the violence, including a police officer Capitol.
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As the House of Representative’s sergeant-at-Arms, Walker will oversee security and protocol. The appointment is subject to voting by the house, which the Democrats control. Walker has commanded D.C. National Guard since 2018 and has 39 years of military experience, including an extended duty as a special agent with the administration of U.S. drug enforcement.
“His historic appointment as the first black American who functions as a sergeant-at-arms is an important step for this institution and our nation,” said Pelosi in a statement. “It is essential that we work to strengthen our institutions and maintain our Capitol community, and all who visit remain safe.”
National Guard troops were sent to U.S. Capitol after pro-Trump supporters stormed the Congress, and some remained there since then. They are now expected to stay until mid-May. A high fence was set up around the building, although authorities had reduced the fenced area in the past few days.
Republican home leader Kevin McCarthy issued a statement praising the selection. “Every member, staff, employees, and visitors to Capitol must feel safe with Major General Walker at the Sergeant leadership in weapons operations.”
Timothy Blodgett has served as a sergeant-at-arms acting since Paul Irving resigned after riots on January 6. Irving told parliamentarians after he left that intelligence ahead of the deadly riots was not guaranteed to have troops in the Capitol that day.
