Rep. Karen Bass, California Democrat, pointed the FBI toward President Trump in response to the agency requesting help identifying people responsible for Wednesday’s insurgency at the U.S. Capitol.
“The FBI is seeking to identify individuals instigating violence in Washington, D.C.,” the FBI said Thursday morning on Twitter in a post asking the public for assistance.
Ms. Bass shared the FBI’s plea from her Twitter account later along with a photo of Mr. Trump taken shortly before a mob of his supporters breached the Capitol building while Congress met Wednesday.
“Found one,” Ms. Bass tweeted.
Mr. Trump had been encouraging his supporters to come to Washington on Wednesday when Congress was to convene to count the electoral votes affirming his recent loss to President-elect Joseph R. Biden.
A protest held near the White House ended in the early afternoon with Mr. Trump saying he planned to walk with supporters to Capitol Hill to cheer on fellow Republicans challenging Mr. Biden’s win.
“We fight like hell,” Mr. Trump told supporters. “And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
Trump supporters then marched to the Capitol, breached security and besieged the compound, sidelining sessions underway in both the House and Senate and forcing lawmakers to hide and take shelter.
A person was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and three others died from medical emergencies. Dozens were arrested, and the FBI is seeking assistance finding others soon to be facing consequences.
The FBI’s tweet referred to a page on the bureau’s website where people can submit tips and digital media depicting rioting or other violence that took place in and around the Capitol on Wednesday.
The tweet from Ms. Bass had been shared, or retweeted, more than 24,000 times roughly seven hours after it was made by the congresswoman’s account.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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