Our staff has used these devices before and they are regularly tested and maintained. Capitol, Congresswoman Pressley’s Chief of Staff realized the duress buttons installed throughout the Congresswoman’s office suite had been removed. We also asked if photographic or video evidence of the temporarily wrecked alert system existed, and, if so, whether the office would be willing to share it with us.Ī spokesperson responded to us via email:ĭuring the January 6 attack on the U.S. 14, Snopes reached out to both Pressley’s congressional office and political campaign for specifics on that investigation.

13.Īfter The Boston Globe’s report, news outlets including Forbes reported Pressley’s office said at least one agency was investigating why, or how, the panic buttons were purportedly “torn out.”

Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., who said on Twitter he did not have panic buttons during the insurrection three days into his term, though they were installed a week later on Jan. No other lawmaker reported damaged or missing panic buttons after the attack, with the exception of Rep. In other words, it was true that Pressley’s chief of staff said all panic buttons had been removed for reasons she and others did not know. As they were escorted to several different secure locations, Groh and Pressley and her husband tried to remain calm and vigilant - not only of rioters but of officers they did not know or trust, she said. She had used them before and hadn’t switched offices since then. “Every panic button in my office had been torn out - the whole unit,” she said, though they could come up with no rationale as to why. Groh pulled out gas masks and looked for the special panic buttons in the office. 13:Īs people rushed out of other buildings on the Capitol grounds, staffers in Pressley’s office barricaded the entrance with furniture and water jugs that had piled up during the pandemic. Citing an interview with Pressley’s chief of staff, Sarah Groh, The Boston Globe reported on Jan.

Panic button capitol