One Officer Killed, Another Wounded in New Attack on the U.S. Capitol Friday –

BREAKING NEWS – The U.S. Capitol was attacked again Friday with one Capitol Police officer killed and another wounded, according to breaking news from The Washington Post: One officer dead after man rams Capitol barricade; suspect fatally shot by police, officials say

Official statements about the attack kept coming out all afternoon as the work week came to a close on Friday.

“I am deeply saddened by today’s tragic events at the U.S. Capitol. On behalf of the FBI, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the brave officers who were attacked today while doing their jobs, protecting the Capitol and those who work there,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement regarding today’s attack that left one Capitol Police officer dead and another injured after a vehicle rammed a barricade near the U.S. Capitol. “The FBI stands ready to support our law enforcement partners in the investigation of this tragedy.”

“While many details of today’s incident are not yet known, what we do know with certainty is that the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to defend the Capitol complex and the institutions of our democracy have the gratitude of the nation they serve,” House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer of Greenbelt, Maryland said in a statement responding to the attack. “I am heartbroken to learn that one of the U.S. Capitol Police officers involved in today’s incident has been killed in the line of duty.”

“The officer’s family will be in my thoughts, and I pray for the health and well-being of the other officer injured,” Hoyer said. “They and their fellow officers displayed great courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol and those inside, quickly taking control of the situation and neutralizing the threat.”

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the U.S. Capitol Police Officer who lost his life today protecting the very symbol of our democracy,” Homeland Security Secretary Mayorka said in a statement responding to the attack. “There is still much to be determined about this attack and DHS offers its full support to Capitol Police and DC Mayor Bowser.”

Staff Report –

The U.S. Department of Justice announced two new arrests and superseding indictments Thursday in federal court against two men associated with the far right anti-government militia group the Oath Keepers for conspiring to obstruct Congress for their role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, according to a press release sent out Friday afternoon.

Joshua James, 33, of Arab, Alabama, was arrested on March 9 in Arab, and Roberto Minuta, 36, of Prosper, Texas, was arrested on March 7 in Newburgh, New York. Both were charged with conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

If convicted, James and Minuta each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. They are being held without bail.

A full copy of the indictment can be viewed here.

James and Minuta communicated with co-conspirators in advance of the Jan. 6 incursion on the U.S. Capitol, according to the charging documents, and the indictment alleges frequent and consistent communication leading up to the attack, such as in reserving hotel rooms and making phone calls to co-conspirators the morning of the breach.

In response to a call for individuals to head to the Capitol after the building was breached, James and Minuta drove to the Capitol in a golf cart, at times swerving around law enforcement vehicles with Minuta stating, “Patriots are storming the Capitol…so we’re en route in a grand theft auto golf cart to the Capitol building right now…it’s going down guys; it’s literally going down right now Patriots storming the Capitol building…”

Once they arrived, Minuta aggressively berated and taunted law enforcement officers in riot gear guarding the perimeter of the Capitol near the East side of the building. At 3:15 p.m., Minuta and James forcibly entered the Capitol building through the same east side Rotunda doors through which their alleged co-conspirators had entered earlier.

They then stormed the building, wearing military gear. Minuta additionally wore hard-knuckle tactical gloves, ballistic goggles, a radio with an earpiece and bear spray. Video captures Minuta yelling at an officer: “All that’s left is the Second Amendment!” as he exited the building at 3:19 p.m. Not long after 4 p.m., individuals who breached the Capitol – including James, Minuta and many of their alleged co-conspirators – gathered together approximately 100 feet from the Capitol near the northeast corner of the building.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of Texas and Northern District of Alabama. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York, Dallas, Birmingham and Washington Field Offices.

The Oath Keepers is known as a far-right anti-government militia organization composed of current and former military, police, and first responders who pledge to fulfill the oath that all military and police take in order to “defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” It encourages its members to not obey orders which they believe would violate the United States Constitution. The organization claimed a membership of 35,000 as of 2016.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit Tips.FBI.Gov.