In recent news, Lt. Colonel Lawrence Zupan, an Army Reserve Officer, has released a report stating that he faced reprisal for his account of the U.S. Capitol riot response. Zupan’s report, which was completed with assistance from the U.S. Army Inspector General’s office, provided a detailed analysis of the response to the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The report claims that Zupan’s superiors at the Pentagon were unhappy with his assessment and attempted to berate him during a call to a superior. Zupan’s superior reportedly attempted to intimidate and demean him, which prompted Zupan to file a formal complaint. The complaint was forwarded to the Office of the Inspector General, which found that Zupan had been the target of reprisal.
The Inspector’s report found that Zupan’s account “revealed a climate of distrust and hostility” within the Department of Defense towards those who provide an independent analysis of the Defense Department’s response to the Capitol riot. The report also warns that this type of hostility towards officers providing an independent analysis could cause “long-term damage” to the department’s ability to make sound decisions.
Zupan’s report is significant, as it provides the first documentable case of an Army officer being targeted for their independent review of a major event. It also reveals a significant lack of oversight within the Defense Department. In light of Zupan’s report, many have begun to call for an independent review of the department’s response to the Capitol riot.
The Army has yet to address the Inspector’s report, but Zupan has said that he has received “confidence and sympathy” from senior leaders in the Army. In the coming weeks, it is possible that the Army will begin to take action to address complaints from officers such as Colonel Zupan. Until then, the Defense Department will continue to be under scrutiny for its handling of the Capitol riot response.
