Trump's grant of clemency to January 6th rioters deemed "one of the most disheartening days" by Capitol police chief Thomas Manger.

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger, who assumed leadership in the tumultuous months following the January 6, 2021 Capitol siege, is retiring from his position on Friday. In the aftermath of the Capitol riot, Manger worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the depleted force, boost recruitment efforts, and enhance intelligence and communication operations to address the weaknesses exposed by the breach.

Upon his arrival, Manger acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead. "The department, as a whole, had lost confidence in the previous leadership due to what occurred," he said. "We had to address big issues quickly – things like intelligence failures, communication failures, equipment failures, training failures, leadership failures – all of which needed immediate attention."

A seasoned police chief, having served in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, Manger effectively advocated for increased funding to strengthen hiring, equipment, and departmental operations. Critics were particularly harsh on the department for the intelligence failures that contributed to the Capitol's invasion on January 6, 2021.

However, under Manger's leadership, the Capitol Police's intelligence operation has now evolved into a world-class asset in the Washington, D.C., region and beyond. "Before, we were merely consumers of information," Manger said. "Now, we are proactive in our intelligence-gathering efforts."

With the U.S. Capitol Police Board set to appoint a new police chief soon, Manger has requested close to $1 billion in funding for 2026. In justifying his budget request, he cited the escalating number of threats against members of Congress. According to Capitol Police records, threats launched against congressional members in 2024 exceeded 9,400.

Manger also emphasized the department's increasing focus on addressing threats in lawmakers' hometowns. The Capitol Police, unique among police agencies, are tasked with protecting elected leaders and securing the U.S. Capitol campus, which welcomes over 3 million visitors annually.

Manger has been vocal in his criticism of the pardons issued by President Trump to Capitol rioters. "When President Trump issued pardons to the suspected and convicted rioters upon taking office, it was probably my worst day on this job," Manger said. He also denounced conspiracy theories surrounding the events of January 6, stating, "My officers were here on that day. They were part of what transpired. They were injured. They know exactly what happened on January 6. It's just not true when people spin these tales claiming it wasn't as bad as it was."

Rep. Joe Morelle, a New York Democrat and the ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, commended Manger's leadership, saying, "Since taking over at the department's hour of greatest need, he professionalized a force in need of steady leadership." A representative from the Capitol Police union underscored the ongoing challenges of maintaining manpower and striking a balance between work and family life for rank-and-file officers, which continues to affect morale within the agency.

Reflecting on his tenure, former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn praised Manger, stating, "He demonstrated his love for country, his love for law enforcement, and his dedication to public service."

The Capitol Police's intelligence operation, under the leadership of Chief Manger, has evolved into a world-class asset, proactively gather intelligence instead of merely consuming it.
Upon his arrival, Manger acknowledged the department's challenges, addressing issues like intelligence and communication failures that contributed to the Capitol's invasion on January 6, 2021.
Manger has been vocal in his criticism of the pardons issued by President Trump to Capitol rioters, calling it his worst day on the job and denouncing conspiracy theories about the events of January 6.
In his budget request for 2026, Manger emphasized the escalating number of threats against members of Congress, citing Capitol Police records that show over 9,400 threats in 2024 alone, and requested close to $1 billion to strengthen hiring, equipment, and departmental operations.