SURVEILLANCE VIDEO inside the U.S. Capitol shows rioters break into the building on Jan. 6. One person at center left appears to be carrying a Confederate battle flag; at riot a man is entering through a smashed window (House video).

The first public hearing Tuesday in the investigation by the House of Representatives into the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol building brought out stories of police officers beaten, attacked with tear gas, targeted by racial insults and even struck with poles bearing American flags.

According to USA Today, the hearing lasted four hours. Testimony included video footage of the riot and oral testimony on the incident, in which extreme right wing protestors battled and overpowered police and broke into the building with the mission of keeping Congress from certifying the election of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president.

“A man attempted to rip the baton from my hands and we wrestled for control,” said Officer Daniel Hodges. “I retained my weapon. After I pushed him back, he yelled at me, “You’re on the wrong team …” another [shouted], ‘You will die on your knees.’”

Other testimony included threats to kill officers trying to defend the building and those within.

Get your masks back on, says CDC

Vaccinated Americans should resume wearing masks indoors, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on Tuesday. The switch is prompted by the impact of the Delta variant of coronavirus.

TIME TO MASK UP?

United Press International reported that the variant “behaves uniquely differently” than earlier strains. “The Delta variant is showing every day its willingness to outsmart us,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. She added that in “rare” cases a person who has been vaccinated who has been infected might be able to transmit the disease.

Additionally, she said that students, teachers and others in schools should wear masks whether they are vaccinated or not.

Biles steps down, U.S takes silver medal

Simone Biles, regarded as the finest women’s gymnast in the world, removed herself from competition at the Tokyo Olympics Tuesday and the U.S. team won a silver medal. The gold went to the team from Russia.

Biles, who stumbled during the qualifying round, said she has not stepped down because of a physical injury, but because of mental and emotion issues.

“We also have to focus on ourselves,” said Biles, according to the Associated Press, because at the end of the day, we’re humans, too. So we have to protect our mind and body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”

• Japan won the softball gold medal, defeating the United States 2-0 Tuesday night. It was Japan’s second consecutive gold. The Americans last won the top award in 2004.
• As of the writing this article, the medal count stood at the U.S with 25 (nine gold), China with 22 (five gold), Japan with 18 (10 gold) and Russian Olympic Committee with 18 (seven gold).