Michael C. Stenger
Michael C. Stenger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 41st Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate | |
| In office April 16, 2018 – January 7, 2021 | |
| Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Preceded by | Frank J. Larkin |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer Hemingway (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 or 1951 |
| Died | (aged 71/72)[1] |
| Education | Fairleigh Dickinson University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Michael C. Stenger (died June 27, 2022) was an American law enforcement officer who served as the 41st Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate from April 16, 2018, to January 7, 2021.
Early life and career
Stenger is a native of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was a captain in the United States Marine Corps before joining the United States Secret Service.[2][3]
Career
Stenger spent 35 years in the Secret Service and served stints as Assistant Director for the Office of Investigations and the Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Research. In 2008, he became Assistant Director for the USSS Office of Government and Public Affairs, which coordinated with groups that included the United States Congress. In 2011, he joined the office of the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate as Assistant Sergeant at Arms for the Office of Protective Services and Continuity, became Deputy Sergeant at Arms in May 2014, and Chief of Staff for the Sergeant at Arms in January 2015.[4]
On April 16, 2018, after Sergeant at Arms Frank J. Larkin retired, Michael C. Stenger was nominated as the 41st Sergeant at Arms under Senate Resolution 465, put forth by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. This resolution was submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by unanimous consent.[5][6]
Responding to the 2021 Capitol attack
On January 6, 2021, for more than an hour during the violent storming of the Capitol that resulted in physical and symbolic harm to the Congress, the Capitol, and the process of accepting and counting the votes of the Electoral College, Stenger and House Sergeant-at-arms Paul Irving (members of the Capitol Review Board) repeatedly refused to request the assistance of the U.S. National Guard.[7] He then resigned as the Senate sergeant-at-arms.[8][9][10] The two other top Capitol security officials—House sergeant-at-arms Paul D. Irving and United States Capitol Police chief Steven Sund—also resigned the same day, amid bipartisan shock and outrage over security lapses that led to the mob's breach and occupation of the Capitol.[10]
Death
Stenger died on June 27, 2022.[1]
References
- ^ a b Garcia, Eric (June 28, 2022). "Senate sergeant-at-arms in charge of security during Jan 6 riot dies". The Independent. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ https://newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/new-jerseyan-michael-stenger-senate-sergeant-arms-on-january-6-dies-at-71/
- ^ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/former-senate-security-chief-dies-death-not-considered-suspicious-rcna35705
- ^ "Sergeant at Arms Michael C. Stenger". United States Senate. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "Stenger to Serve as Sergeant at Arms". U.S. Senate. April 16, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ^ Mitch, McConnell (April 16, 2018). "S.Res.465 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): A resolution electing Michael C. Stenger as Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate". Congress.gov. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ Broadwater, Luke; Cochrane, Emily; Goldman, Adam (January 26, 2021). "Capitol Police chief apologizes for security failures during the assault, including a delay in calling for Guard troops". New York Times.
- ^ Cochrane, Emily (January 7, 2021). "Senate sergeant-at-arms resigns following House's top security official stepping down". New York Times.
- ^ Everett, Burgess; Caygle, Heather (January 7, 2021). "Top Capitol security officials sacked after deadly riot". POLITICO.
- ^ a b Carney, Jordain (January 7, 2021). "McConnell ousts Senate sergeant-at-arms after Capitol riots". The Hill. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)