https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-were-feet-and-seconds-away-from-confrontation-with-the-mob-in-the-capitol-11610481854I didn't realize that the Speaker's Lobby door, where Ashli Bimbo was shot and killed actually led to a hallway that was used as an escape route for some groups of House members. They exited the House Chamber halfway down that hallway.
I was under the impression that the Cap Police guarding those doors and that hallway were protecting themselves, the offices and perhaps staffers stuck in there.
But they were actually protecting an escape route for congresspeople.
A few more guns and other weapons, a little more coordination between the insurrectionist mob and there would have been ugly scenes of congresspeople being beaten, perhaps killed or taken hostage. Even with this disorganized mob -- chanting Where's Nancy? -- they came pretty close to catching up to and confronting elected gov't officials.
All these wimpy unlawful entry charges don't seem to fit the seriousness of what occurred and what almost occurred. As it was, members of Congress and their staff had to hunker down and then escape a violent dangerous mob attack.
I'd be looking at 3-5 years sentences for anyone who unlawfully entered the Capitol and were part of a insurrectionist mob. 5-10 years for anyone who used violence against property or police (or journalists). 10-20 for anyone who had weapons or military gear, who should be charged with seditious conspiracy.