Michael Stenger, who was sergeant at arms of the Senate during the Capitol riot, died on Monday, according to a report
The man in charge of protecting the Senate during the Capitol riot died on Monday, Fox News reported – the day before the January 6 Committee announced they were holding a surprise session to reveal new evidence.
Michael Stenger was the sergeant at arms of the Senate – the chief law enforcement officer and head of protocol – from April 2018 until the day after the insurrection.
He resigned, along with the House sergeant of arms and head of the Capitol Police, amid criticism that they had failed to call the National Guard for backup.
Stenger previously served in the United States Marine Corps, and spent 35 years in the Secret Service.
Fox’s congressional correspondent Chad Pergram tweeted: ‘Fox confirms that Michael Stenger, the Senate Sergeant at Arms who was in charge of Senate security the day of the Capitol riot, has died.’
Stenger, right, is seen with Mike Pence heading to the House chamber on January 7, 2021, for the final certification of the election. Stenger would resign hours after this photo was taken
Stenger resigned the day after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot
Rioters on January 6, 2021 are seen destroying a news crew’s broadcast equipment
Stenger (left) and Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont (right) are seen speaking on January 6 after the riot, as Congress resumed its session. The pair are watched over by police
In February 2021, Stenger told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that the role of ‘professional agitators’ needed to be investigated.
Karen Gibson is the current sergeant at arms for the Senate
‘There is an opportunity to learn lessons from the events of January 6th,’ he said.
‘Investigations should be considered as to funding and travel of what appears to be professional agitators.
‘First Amendment rights should always be considered in conjunction with professional investigations.’
Stenger’s full-time replacement, who currently serves as sergeant at arms, is Karen Gibson, who took over on March 22, 2021, after a 33-year military career.
Stenger’s death came the day before the unexpected additional hearing of the committee investigating the riot.
On Monday night it emerged that the committee would hear from Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows.
Cassidy Hutchinson is seen speaking to the January 6 Committee. On Tuesday she will testify in public in a surprise hearing
Hutchinson’s testimony is seen being broadcast to the committee hearing on June 23
The select panel announced a surprise hearing, with about 24 hours’ notice, ‘to present recently obtained evidence and receive witness testimony.’
They did not confirm that Hutchinson would testify. Her participation was first confirmed by Punchbowl News.
Hutchinson was present during meetings between Meadows and multiple House Republicans who backed Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election.
Her video deposition was used to support the committee’s argument that multiple Republicans later sought presidential pardons.