Congress members led ‘reconnaissance tours’ of Capitol before attack, evidence suggests

The Capitol attack committee revealed evidence that suggests that ‘reconnaissance tours’ took place before the January 6 insurrection. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

The House select committee investigating the Capitol attack revealed on Thursday that it had evidence to suggest certain “reconnaissance tours” took place in the days before 6 January, potentially providing some rioters with a layout of the complex.

The panel said in a letter requesting cooperation from Georgia Republican congressman Barry Loudermilk that he gave a tour the day before the Capitol attack. The startling disclosure resurrects a contentious line of inquiry that connects House Republicans to the insurrection.