To the editor:

A response to letter titled: WHY?

Why is only one side being shown as to what happened on Jan. 6 in Washington D.C.?

–Good question. Why aren’t conservative media covering the investigation? So far, they seem uninterested.

Why did Nancy Pelosi decide not to call for the extra security which had been suggested because of the anticipated crowds?

– Neither the Speaker of the House (Pelosi) nor the Senate Majority Leader (McConnell) have any authority over the National Guard. Both did call for military assistance on Jan 6th. Only the Capitol Police can actually “invite” them in and for some reason that took way too long. That needs to be investigated.

Why are there hours of video about that day that are not being shown?

– There are surely many hours of video that day. But only the video showing criminal behavior is relevant to the investigation.

Why is Ashley Babitt’s death not being investigated and the findings released?

– It was. Here’s a link to the Department of Justice release when the investigation was closed: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/department-justice-closes-investigation-death-ashli-babbitt

Why did the police step back to allow those who were pushing through in to the capitol building?

– Best guess, fear? They were seriously outnumbered.

Why are they not showing the footage of police who did not step in to give support or call for backup?

– So, you want to blame the police for the attack? I’d bet there was mass confusion among the police. That also needs to be investigated and procedures updated/corrected.

Why are so many being held without due process, while violent rioters and looters last summer either were not arrested or if so were freed?

– Typically only 25% of defendants nation wide are released before their trial. In this case, better than 70% of those charged in the Capitol riot have been released, pending trial. I have no sympathy for rioters of any kind. I’m sure many of those rioters last summer were arrested, but probably not enough. Peaceful protesters are fine, violence/looting have no place in a protest.

Why do the Democrats not want a truly bipartisan committee asking these questions, with people like Jim Jordan on it? Why did they only allow two Republicans who agree with them on the committee?

– There was bill to create a bipartisan commission. It would have had 10 members with equal numbers appointed by Pelosi/Schumer and McConnell/McCarthy. The terms were negotiated by a Democrat (Bennie Thompson) and a Republican (Jon Katko). They would have been required to produce a report. The bill was killed in the Senate by Mitch McConnell – a Republican. Who doesn’t want a bipartisan committee?

Mike Rolloff

Phoenix, former New Ulm resident