Sen. Gary Peters asked the witnesses to explain why they believe that the Jan. 6 attack was coordinated.
Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund said that he believed there was "significant coordination" by the rioters to carry out the attack.
"One, these people came specifically with equipment. You're bringing climbing gear to a demonstration. You're bringing explosives. You're bringing chemical spray, such as what Captain Mendoza had talked about. You're coming prepared."
He said that he believes the insurrectionists planted bombs nearby to draw police resources away from the Capitol.
"The fact that the group that attacked our west front, attacked our west front... approximately 20 minute before the event over at the Ellipse ended, which means they were planning on our agency not being at what they call full strength...And then also the fact that we're dealing with two pipe bombs that were specifically, you know, set off the edge of our perimeter to, what I suspect, draw resources away. I think there was a significant coordination with this attack."
Robert Contee, acting chief of the DC Metropolitan Police, echoed Sund's opinion that the attack was coordinated.
"My view is from the day of the incident. I think there were hand signals that were being used by several of the insurrectionists," he said. "There were radio communication by several individuals that were involved ... I certainly believe it was coordinated."