WASHINGTON—The unprecedented breach of the U.S. Capitol and the related violence by individuals protesting the results of the presidential election have both the country and credit union veterans in Washington attempting to process what took place. During the violence local CU staff were told to shelter in place by police and several offices remain closed.
“I think we're still in a period of digesting the implications of Wednesday, and one thing I've encouraged folks in the last 24 hours or so is we need some time to understand what all this means,” said CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan. “What will be the impact of this going forward?”
Shortly after 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers set up along the perimeter of the Capitol, where they wrestled with officers in full riot gear, some calling the officers "traitors.” About 90 minutes later, police said demonstrators got into the building and the doors to the House and Senate were being locked. Shortly after, the House floor was evacuated by police, according to numerous reports.
An armed standoff took place at the House front door at about 3 p.m. ET, and police officers had their guns drawn.
For credit unions that serve members of Congress and their staff, the events that took place were the kinds of threats for which training occurs but few ever expect to happen.
Both CUNA and NAFCU issues strong statements condemning the violence, with CUNA CEO Jim Nussle, a former member of Congress representing Iowa, tweeting he would no longer “claim to be a Republican.”
John Kirlew, Jr., VP of marketing and communication at Congressional FCU, which has branches in three different congressional office buildings, said he was shocked like everyone else when he learned about the violence.
“Thankfully, Capitol Hill has a lot of protocols in place for this kind of thing,” said Kirlew, who was not on Capitol Hill when the violence took place.
One of those protocols, Kirlew explained, was U.S. Capitol Police issuing a shelter in place order midday Wednesday for those inside buildings on Capitol Hill.
Staff Shelters in Place
“We get our protocols from the U.S. Capitol Police. Based on their direction, we had to shut down all of our offices on capitol grounds and staff there had to shelter in place until the police gave the go-ahead for people to leave the buildings,” Kirlew told CUToday.info. “Our staff just waited until the police cleared the buildings, they lifted the shelter-in-place order, and the police escorted everyone in the buildings to their cars. We are very grateful for the efforts of the U.S. Capitol Police force.”
Kirlew declined to comment on whether staff in any of the CU’s Capitol Hill locations felt threatened or were actually threatened by the rioters. The CU has four offices on capital grounds—in addition to an office in the U.S. Capitol building itself, Congressional FCU has locations in the Rayburn, Longworth and Ford House buildings. The offices remained closed Thursday and reopened Friday.
US Senate FCU has closed its office in the Senate Hart Office building until Monday due to the violence.
Capitol Hill Police have been strongly criticized for their response to the protesters, resulting in the resignation of Chief Steven Sund. Security measures are expected to be reviewed, but it’s not known how or if any measures might affect access to credit union facilities.
Ryan Donovan
While the events of Wednesday are still being evaluated by many, Kirlew said Congressional FCU had not discussed making any changes to procedures at its offices.
“We serve at the privilege at the United States House of Representatives, so we work with them to come up with the best protocols,” Kirlew said.
Some ‘Vulnerability’
CUNA’s Donovan said it he was as surprised as everyone else the rioters were able to breach the Capitol building, but noted the location differs slightly from many other government offices on Capitol Hill.
“The U.S. Capitol is a very significant building, but it's different than other federal buildings in a number of ways—and one very important way that maybe makes it a little more vulnerable than, say, the White House,” Donovan explained.
That difference: the capitol building is meant to be as accessible to citizens as possible.
“And with that accessibility comes some vulnerability,” he said. “I worked on Capitol Hill for almost a decade, and I recall walking out the main door of the Capitol building only 10 minutes before the capitol building shooter walked through those same doors in 1998. There have been some changes since 9/11, certainly, but the operating philosophy is that it is important to keep that building accessible to citizens.”
‘We’ve All Been Impacted’
In 1998, Russell Eugene Weston entered the Capitol building and shot and killed two Capital Police officers—Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson.
“I think as Americans we've all been impacted by what happened Wednesday,” said Donovan.
Evan Clark, CEO of Department of Commerce FCU, said he is disturbed by Wednesday’s violence.
“The violence really concerns me, to the point that none of our employees will be going to our main office (across the street from the White House) this week,” Clark said.
NCUA Chairman Issues Statement
NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood with President Trump.
Following the violence, National Credit Union Administration Chairman Rodney E. Hood issued a statement saying, “As a public servant who has sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, I was deeply shocked and profoundly saddened by yesterday’s violent protests at the capitol. Our country has faced great challenges in its past and has overcome them, and it is my great hope that our nation will come together after this incident as one nation, united as Americans.
“For employees who live in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, I want to assure you that my top priority is that of ensuring the physical safety and well-being of NCUA personnel at all times while executing our mission,” continued Hood. “To that end, I am working to protect our employees as well as the security of NCUA property.”
Hood made no reference to the president, but he has in the past been strongly supportive of President Trump.
As CUToday.info reported here, in 2019 Hood appeared in a video filmed inside the White House in which he said, “Under the Trump administration, America’s unemployment rate has never been better. For the first time in our history, we now have more people in the working economy than ever before, especially as it relates to African-Americans throughout society. I’m particularly pleased this president has done more for African-Americans than for any other president in my lifetime.”
That video drew strong response on Twitter, and Hood was later grilled by Sen. Sherrod Brown about his appearance in the video during a Senate hearing.
Hood has also tweeted out a photo of himself with the president.
Statement from NCUA Board Member Tood Harper
NCUA Board Member Todd Harper issued the following statement in response to what he called an "insurrection on Capitol Hill."
“We The People. Yesterday’s bedlam and insurrection on Capitol Hill was appalling and gut-wrenching. 'We the People' is what makes our democracy resilient and strong, and I have every faith that our country will survive this assault on our freedom, liberty and justice.
"For the good of our nation, our future must be one of healing and working together to form a more perfect union, maintain justice and ensure domestic tranquility to promote our collective welfare, peace, and our prosperity. Congress created federally insured credit unions to advance each of these very important objectives.
"Through my work on the NCUA Board, I will stay focused on ensuring that credit unions achieve their mission of meeting the credit and savings needs of consumers, including those of modest means. In the year ahead, the NCUA will also expand efforts to address matters of economic equality and justice by enhancing support for minority depository institutions, enforcing fair lending laws, and advancing initiatives to close the wealth gap.
"Finally, to my friends and so many others working on Capitol Hill to ensure the smooth functioning of our democracy, thank you for your service to our country. You are true patriots and deserve our collective appreciation.
"Be safe, be well and be kind, America.”