The Sergeant at Arms in Charge of Capitol Security on January 6 DIES under Mysterious Circumstances
(Kyle Becker) The Senate Sergeant at Arms who was charged with securing the Capitol building on January 6 has died under circumstances that are still a mystery.
“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,” Fox News’ Chad Pergram reported.
1) 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.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 27, 2022
The report has been confirmed also by Politico Congressional reporter K. Tully-McManus:
Former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger died this morning.
— K Tully-McManus (@ktullymcmanus) June 27, 2022
He joined the SAA team in 2011 after a career with the Secret Service and was appointed SAA in 2018.
“Former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger died this morning,” Tully-McManus said. “He joined the SAA team in 2011 after a career with the Secret Service and was appointed SAA in 2018.”
Stenger was forced out of his position after the Capitol siege on January 6. The Capitol building being overrun by far-right extremists, as well as peaceful Trump supporters who were let into the building by the Capitol Police.
House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving subsequently gave his resignation notice, as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced. Capitol Police chief Steven Sund also resigned, effective Jan. 16, and left a letter filled with heavy criticism of the weak Capitol security, which followed upon numerous warnings given to the Congress.
Stenger had testified in front of Congress on the security failures on January 6:
Opening statement from Former Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger on January 6th U.S. Capitol Attack pic.twitter.com/jnb5pEVj1W
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 23, 2021
“In conclusion, whenever you prepare for a major event, you must always consider the possibility of some form of civil disobedience at these demonstrations and plan accordingly,” Stenger said in his statement. “The events of January 6th went beyond disobedience. This was a violent, coordinated attack where the loss of life could have been much worse.”
In February, Pergram reported on alleged “inconsistences” in the testimony of Stenger, as well as Capitol Police chief Steven Sund, and former House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving, according to a top Republican.
A) Top GOPer on Hse Admin Cmte Davis on Senate’s Capitol riot hrng: There were major inconsistencies in the testimony provided by former USCP Chief Sund, former House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving, and former Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 24, 2021
“Top GOPer on Hse Admin Cmte Davis on Senate’s Capitol riot hrng: There were major inconsistencies in the testimony provided by former USCP Chief Sund, former House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving, and former Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger,” Pergram reported.
In a review of January 6 security failures, a staff report for the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee blamed Sund, Irving, and Stenger for failing to notify the National Guard in time.
“Steven Sund never submitted a formal request to the Capitol Police Board for National Guard support in advance of January 6,” the report said. “Instead, Steven Sund had informal conversations with the House Sergeant at Arms, Paul Irving, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms, Michael Stenger, regarding the potential need for National Guard support. No one ever discussed the possibility of National Guard support with the Architect of the Capitol, the third voting member of the Capitol Police Board.”
A new House January 6 Committee hearing was suddenly scheduled for tomorrow at 1 PM with “recently obtained evidence.”
According to his biography, “Stenger graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the U.S. Secret Service.”
“Stanger worked in the Secret Service for 35 years, serving as Deputy Director of the Office of Investigations and Deputy Director of the Office of Conservation Research,” the bio continues. “In 2008, he became deputy director of the USSS Office of Government and Public Affairs, which coordinates with groups such as the U.S. Congress. In 2011, he joined the U.S. Senate Office of the Uniformed as Assistant Sergeant Major, Office of Protective Services and Continuity, becoming Assistant Sergeant Major in May 2014 and Chief of Staff in January 2015 .”
“On April 16, 2018, following the retirement of Army Sergeant Frank J. Larkin, Michael C. Stenger was arrested under Senate Resolution 465 introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell,” the article adds. “Nominated as the 41st Army Sergeant. The resolution was sent to the Senate, debated and passed unanimously without amendment.”
Becker News has reached out to Capitol area law enforcement and will provide clarity surrounding the circumstances of Stenger’s death as forthcoming.
