The lack of designations is seen as an important link in the chain of security failures that contributed to the Capitol being overrun in a violent insurrection that sought to stop the certification of the Electoral College votes. Other failures include the absence of an intelligence bulletin specifically warning of threats to the Capitol that day. Former DHS officials and Senate investigators have puzzled over these related issues:
Source: GAO Faults DHS for Failing to Designate Jan. 6 as a Protected Event in Advance of Attack
