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The House is still reeling from the aftermath of the January 6 riots at the Capitol caused by a pro-Trump mob. Following the resignation of the previous Sergeant-at-Arms, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Major General William Walker to take on the post.
Pelosi released a statement last week announcing her appointment of Gen. Walker, the DC Commander of the DC National Guard, to become the House Sergeant-at-Arms, who is responsible for maintaining order in the lower chamber. Walker would become the first Black American to become the House Sergeant-at-Arms.
During the insurrection, Walker also ordered DC guard members to back up the Capitol Police, who were unable to prevent the riots from occurring. At the hearing, Walker criticized the time it took for the Pentagon to approve his request of sending his troops to stop the rioting.
“It is my honor to appoint District of Columbia National Guard Major General William J. Walker to serve as the 38th Sergeant-at-Arms for the House of Representatives,” said Pelosi in the statement.
Should Walker be confirmed by the House, he would be succeeding Paul Irving, who stepped down following the riots that left five people dead and many officers severely injured. Timothy P. Blodgett served as the Acting Sergeant-at-Arms following Irving’s resignation. Pelosi also thanked Blodgett for his service at this time.
Walker, who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump in 2018 to lead the DC National Guard, testified before the Senate on March 3 that the Pentagon took over three hours to approve of his authority to assist the Capitol Police. Should he be confirmed by the House Majority, Joe Biden will be appointing Walker’s replacement.
Previously, Pelosi downplayed the concerns expressed by centrist Democrats regarding a contested race in Iowa, who warned party leaders against overturning the results of the state’s House seat. The House Administration Committee is looking into a challenge presented by Democrat Rita Hart, who contested the results of Iowa’s 2nd District after the state certified Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ election victory by six votes.
Pelosi questioned the Democrats that criticized the review how they themselves would react should they face the same challenge of losing a narrowly-contested race.
