U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Archives

Missouri Capitol heightens security after FBI warning of armed protests; House discusses emergency plans

January 13, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri Capitol has extra law enforcement keeping an eye on the building after reports of possible “armed protests” at all 50 state capitols and the U.S. Capitol. The increased presence follows an FBI warning of threats of an “uprising” in the days leading up to the January 20 inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.

During a press conference Monday following the inauguration, Gov. Mike Parson said the state is taking precautions.

Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

“We’re quite aware of what’s going on there,” said Parson. “I think our state is a little different, compared to a lot of other states where you are seeing maybe some of these issues coming.”

Pro-Trump rioters at the U.S. Capitol last week and the FBI memo are making some state lawmakers feel uneasy. On the Missouri House floor Tuesday, Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, says the Capitol needs a comprehensive emergency plan.

“One of the things that we are, you know, being made aware of from law enforcement agencies on a daily basis is that, while we know right now we are under increased threat, they don’t see it ceasing in the near future. But I think what is important for us to remember, gentlemen, is that we may never know when an event happens. Right now we are getting tips and we’re being tipped off to holes within our system, but emergency preparation is what saves lives and we are finding that we are not prepared and that is terrifying I think for most of us. We’ve got to figure out a way to address it,” says Ingle.

Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County, says the Capitol Police team does not have the ability to respond in the event of a hostile takeover or most other emergencies.

Rep. Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

“I think it’s incumbent upon us, if it’s not going to be provided for us, to provide security – essentially crafting our own method of security. We’re trying to work with the executive branch and that has occurred over several years,” says Plocher. “When the executive branch is on the third floor, I feel quite safe. But when the executive branch is not on the third floor, we kind of are left in the dark. We don’t have the resources. We haven’t crafted a game plan, if you will, to address some things. Fortunately, Missourians haven’t tried to take such actions into their own hands. But I think it’s something we need to look into.”

The executive branch is another term to refer to the governor.

Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, has been working for years to update security plans. He says the Legislature needs to come up with a bipartisan approach to address the gaps.

“We’re all sitting on this floor right now discussing this together and we’re going to do a little bit more of this in a little while – for one reason and one reason only. This is the one thing we are all on the same team on. I know my wife wants me to come,” says Hicks. “We are trying to build up security in the building. Our Capitol Police – they are a 34-unit team. They try to do their best that they can. But they are 34 members that do not have the equipment or the updated equipment they need to do what needs to be done.”

Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

Hicks says lawmakers should think about some of their most vulnerable constituents – children.

“What would happen if an incident did occur and you have a hallway filled with children outside your office that you’re speaking to. Would you know what to do? Let’s just say a tornado is hitting,” says Hicks. “Would you know where to take them? I may not be someone with a weapon. It could literally be someone having a heart attack right here on the House floor.”

ABC News reports state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings could be targets. The FBI is also getting reports of threats to harm Biden, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Missouri prepares for possible ‘uprising’ planned at all state capitols and U.S. Capitol

January 11, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

An FBI memo is warning law enforcement in Missouri and nationwide of possible “armed protests” at all 50 state capitols and the U.S. Capitol in the run-up to Inauguration Day. ABC News reports the memo indicates threats of an “uprising” if President Donald Trump is removed from office before Inauguration Day.

Gov. Mike Parson

The news follows a pro-Trump mob taking over the U.S. Capitol last week, killing at least five people and vandalizing many parts of the building.

During a press conference today at the state capitol in Jefferson City, Gov. Mike Parson says precautions are being taken in Missouri.

“We’re quite aware of what’s going on there,” says Parson, a former Polk County Sheriff. “I think our state is a little different, compared to a lot of other states where you are seeing maybe some of these issues coming.”

The report says state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings could be targets. The FBI is also getting reports of threats to harm Biden, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“People took action they should have never taken. I have said all along, whether it is in Missouri or its in Washington, D.C., I believe in civil protests. I believe people have the right to the First Amendment. But what I don’t believe is, I don’t believe anybody for any cause has the right to commit any crimes. Period,” says Parson, a Republican. “Whether it’s in Washington, D.C., whether it’s in Missouri, or whether it’s in any other state, if you are violating the law, then you are responsible for your own actions.”

Parson’s remarks followed tight security at Monday’s inauguration. Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, and State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick were sworn into office.

Missouri congressman introduces legislation intended to prevent police brutality

June 8, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay and a chorus of other lawmakers have introduced sweeping legislation today designed to crack down on police brutality problems. Clay, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus, want to reign in on police using deadly force and want to require an independent prosecutor for all police killings. Clay, Missouri’s senior Democratic Congressional member from St. Louis, spoke today during a press conference in Washington to roll out the “Justice in Policing Act”.

Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay

“Now I’ve seen millions in my state and around the country – in small towns in Missouri and throughout this nation – who know there is an injustice throughout this nation that we have been treated unequally,” says Clay.

In a press release, Clay goes on to say the legislation could take generations to achieve all components, but says the bill is a “powerful, bold step forward to move American society to a new normal for both race relations and policing.”

“This remarkable legislative proposal advances a long and arduous process that I have been pursuing since the Ferguson uprising to make a course correction in our democracy to finally address centuries of oppression and unequal treatment of African Americans by law enforcement,” says Clay. “I’m very proud that three of my top police reform priorities are included in this landmark bill, including: Making the use of deadly force the last resort for law enforcement; mandating an independent prosecutor in all instances of police killings; and requiring all new and existing police officers to undergo transformative training to address racial bias, cultural awareness, de-escalation tactics, and the pervasive use of excessive force with non-white subjects.”

The plan would also require the use of police body cameras nationwide, change what qualifies in court cases as police immunity, ban police from using choke holds and create a national database disclosing the names of officers with patterns of abuse.

Last week, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, told CNN he does not think a nationalized, legislative response to policing is possible.

“I don’t think you can come up with a national, enforceable response on conduct or practice, nor do I think you can come up with a national manual that really makes sense for departments,” he said.

The Memorial Day death of George Floyd, an African-American man who was mishandled by a white Minneapolis police officer, has sparked protests around the world and has reignited calls to address police brutality problems.

President Trump recognizes Missouri child and mother during State of the Union Address

February 5, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

A Kansas City child who’s battled serious illness was a special guest at Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address in Washington.

Robin and two-year-old Ellie Schneider of Kansas City received a bipartisan standing ovation at the State of the Union Address in Washington on February 4, 2020 (photo courtesy of White House website)

The White House says two-year-old Ellie Schneider is one of the youngest babies to survive in the United States, born at just 21 weeks and six days. President Donald Trump (R) introduced Ellie and her mother Robin during the State of the Union, saying Ellie is now healthy.

“Healthy two-year-old girl sitting with her amazing mother, Robin. In the gallery, Ellie and Robin, we are glad to have you with us (the House chamber) tonight,” President Trump said, to loud applause.

Ellie and Robin received a bipartisan standing ovation from Congress, as well as from Vice President Mike Pence (R) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California.

The president credits Ellie’s recovery to her medical team at St. Luke’s, as well as the prayers of the parents and from the Kansas City-area community.

The St. Luke’s Hospital website says it’s one of the largest faith-based care hospitals in the region, and has been recognized by “U.S. News and World Report” as one of the nation’s elite hospitals.

President Trump says Congress’ goal should be to ensure that every baby has the best chance to thrive and grow, like Ellie.

“Ellie reminds us that every child is a miracle of life, and thanks to modern medical wonders 50 percent of very premature babies delivered at the hospital were Ellie was born now survive, an incredible thing,” says President Trump.

Ellie and her mother were special guests of the president and First Lady Melania Trump, and sat near the First Lady.

Missouri Rep. Smith: Senators running for president are not impartial jurors

December 9, 2019 By Ashley Byrd

If the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump reaches the U.S. Senate, Missouri Congressman Jason Smith asks that some senators step back from voting.

Eighth District Republican Jason Smith filed a resolution to require senators who are running for office to recuse themselves.

“To be an impartial juror, that means you cannot have your mind made up; you have to listen to the facts. And I can tell out right now there are five members of the United States Senate who are all presidential candidates who have stood on national TV saying that they would vote right now to impeach the President of the United States. Those aren’t impartial jurors,” he told Missourinet.

Smith has introduced House Resolution 774, which would compel the U.S. Senate to amend its Rules of Procedure and Practice When Sitting on Impeachment Trials.

Congressman Smith has also written a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, calling for the change. More than two dozen members of Congress have signed the letter.

He says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is “not giving the president his due process and fairness.”

“When you look at the Constitution, the Vice-President of the United States has to recuse himself from presiding over the Senate because of the conflict of interest. He’s next in line for president if the impeachment happens. Well, every senator has to take an oath of office during the impeachment process that they will be impartial jurors, basically. To be an impartial juror, that means you can’t have your mind made up; you have to listen to the facts.”

Smith calls the impeachment hearings “a sham” and says Speaker Pelosi is “abusing her power.”

“The first impeachment vote we had in the House happened in December of 2017. That was a year and a half before the Ukraine telephone call that everyone has seen the transcript of. Nancy Pelosi is only doing what her left-wing squad in the House of Representatives has pushed her that far.”

President Trump says the impeachment effort is bogus and has declined to participate in the current phase of House impeachment hearings. He has refused to cooperate or allow cabinet witnesses or documents to be released.