People forget how absolutely massive the Capitol complex is. Tons of entry points. Open environmental design.

The usual threat model is not being stormed. But they should have been better. https://twitter.com/jbarro/status/1347051277210030080

The grounds lack permanent fencing outside of VBIED barriers. People can and do usually walk right up. The doors to the office buildings are open with checkpoints. The main Capitol doors are not usually open access.

I'm actually more concerned by the total lack of physical security than I am by the police response.

I was in shock that the windows were not bulletproof or reinforced post-9/11. That is unacceptable.

The Secret Service uses a concept of concentric rings to define security requirements around protectees. If a ring fails, there are more rings that get tighter and tighter access.

In today's case, even if protesters breached the fence line, they should have never made it into the building. If they made it into the building, they should have never made it ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

And they should have *especially* not made it in the Speaker's office.

Now, I come back to environmental design. The Capitol is not the White House. It is the People's House. The building feels open by design. But open by design does not mean it should be insecure.

The usual threat model is disruptive protesters and lone wolf attackers. The first is easy: they disrupt committee hearings and are peacefully arrested.

The latter is addressed at checkpoints manned by 3-4 officers.

What strikes me is it appears there has been no real consideration to a group breaching that ring.

The SAA protects the floor with a few officers. But there should also be physical security. It either isn't there or failed tonight.

Beyond resignations/firings at Capitol Police, you are going to see a massive appropriation for remodeling the building and implementing modern physical controls.

My hope is they will do this in a way that maintains the feel of an open concept. It is that way for a reason.

But this can never happen again.

I also have to acknowledge how lucky we are the office buildings where the vast majority of staffers work are forever away from the main Capitol building, through tunnels.

This could have been far worse if the main building were more congested.