Fact check: What communications occurred between Pentagon and Capitol Police on January 6th?

1. Summary of the results

The communications between the Pentagon and Capitol Police on January 6th were primarily documented through a crucial conference call at 2:22 PM, where Capitol Police Chief Sund made an "urgent, urgent immediate request for National Guard assistance" ^[1]. During this call, which included Pentagon officials and D.C. Mayor Bowser, Sund specifically pleaded "I have got to get boots on the ground" ^[2]. However, the Pentagon's response was marked by reluctance, with Lt. Gen. Walter Piatt expressing concerns about the "visual" of National Guard troops at the Capitol ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are worth noting:

• The communication structure was more complex than a simple Pentagon-Capitol Police channel, involving multiple agencies and stakeholders ^[3]
• There are ongoing discrepancies about the events of January 6th that remain unresolved ^[4]
• The timeline and nature of communications were complicated by significant communication challenges during the event ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question assumes a direct communication channel between the Pentagon and Capitol Police, which oversimplifies the reality of the situation. The available sources indicate:

• The communication structure was multi-layered and involved various agencies, not just a direct Pentagon-Capitol Police line ^[3]
• There are numerous conspiracy theories and misinformation narratives surrounding the events of January 6th ^[5]
• The focus on just Pentagon-Capitol Police communications might miss the broader context of fact-checked claims and verified events from that day ^[3]

The Pentagon's concern about "visuals" over immediate security needs ^[2] suggests potential political considerations affecting military decision-making, which benefited those wanting to minimize the appearance of a security crisis at the Capitol.