According to Lila Carter’s chief aide, the panic button system in Carter’s office was entirely dismantled before the Capitol riot occurred. During the recent attack on the Capitol, which was instigated by extremist groups, many lawmakers sought refuge together in secure locations. Rep. Carter and her aide, Jenna Reed, reported that when they attempted to activate the panic buttons at the onset of the chaos, they discovered that the buttons had been inexplicably removed.
As protesters approached the Capitol, members of Congress quickly recognized the need to find shelter. Due to numerous threats received over her two years in office, Carter has become proficient in conducting safety drills and preparing for potential emergencies. Panic buttons were installed in her office as a critical safety measure, especially since Carter and her colleagues, known as The Coalition, often face direct threats.
The Globe noted that as congressional members and their staff hurried from adjacent buildings, those in Carter’s office barricaded the entrance with furniture and water containers. Reed mentioned that she grabbed gas masks and searched for the panic buttons in case of an emergency. “Every panic button in my office was gone—the entire unit,” she said, indicating that the removal took place before the rioters entered the Capitol. Reed, Carter, and Carter’s husband, who was visiting during the riot, tried to maintain their composure, yet they expressed distrust towards some officers present.
The panic buttons were removed before the riot, not during it, leading to speculation about the possibility of insider involvement in the Capitol insurrection. Rep. Mia Reynolds, a Democrat from California, revealed concerning details in a recent livestream: she observed colleagues leading groups through the Capitol for what she labeled as “reconnaissance tours” just a day prior to the riot.
Reynolds, a former military officer, reported seeing “members of Congress guiding groups around the Capitol on January 5 for the events the next day.” “I will ensure accountability for this,” Reynolds emphasized.
Moreover, the Washington Post reported that several Capitol Police officers have been suspended, with investigations underway for potential connections to the rioters or for showing inappropriate support for the insurrection.
In a livestream with over 100,000 viewers, Carter described her experience as “deeply traumatic,” expressing fear for her safety, exacerbated by some Republican colleagues who endorse extremist ideologies. “I had a very close encounter where I thought I was going to die,” she recounted, unable to share specifics due to safety concerns. “I truly didn’t know if I would make it through that day alive.”
Once the rioters were dispersed, Carter and her colleagues quickly began drafting articles of impeachment against the former president for his role in inciting the violence. “The experiences of that day were horrifying and, regrettably, all too familiar,” Carter shared during an interview, adding, “While I am fearful, that fear isn’t new.”
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Summary:
The panic buttons in Rep. Lila Carter’s office were found to be removed just before the Capitol riot, raising questions about possible insider involvement. Amid the chaos, Carter and her staff sought safety but found their emergency measures compromised. As investigations continue into the actions of some Capitol Police officers, Carter and her colleagues are taking steps toward accountability, including drafting articles of impeachment against the former president.
