A lack of defense at the Capitol

President Donald Trump had been planning a demonstration at the Capitol via social media days before the Jan. 6 event. At his beckon call, thousands of his base were migrating to Washington, D.C., and that wasn’t a heads up to the authorities?

Homeland Security’s job is to monitor the airwaves and keep their pulse on what’s happening in our country so that another 9/11 scenario or another kind of attack on our nation could be eliminated. Other agencies like the FBI and the CIA are always on high alert as well. How is it possible that none of these agencies didn’t provide the Capitol police with a warning so that a proper defense of the hallowed halls of our Capitol building could be prepared?

Is it possible that Mr. Trump or one of his minions in the government got to the heads of these agencies with orders to stand down and let the protesters display their show of support for him?

Giving Mr. Trump the benefit of the doubt, I’m not sure he thought his band of merry proud men, the nut cases from QAnon and the militia men who came out from under their rocks were going to turn into an angry mob attacking the authorities and wreaking havoc inside the Capitol building to the extent that it resulted in the destruction of property and death. Like the character in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel; Mr. Trump created his own Frankenstein.

When the Baltimore Colts left for Indianapolis, they stole away in the night undetected. Mr. Trump may exit the White House in a similar manner.

When protesting by the BLM supporters turned violent, President Trump stated, “When the looting begins, she shooting begins.” Too bad the Capitol police didn’t follow his lead in their efforts to protect the Capitol building.

JACK STAHL Spring Hill, Fla. The writer is a native of Point Breeze.