Representative Jason Crow, a member of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, said McCarthy told him the Pentagon was aware of "further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists" in the days up to and including the inauguration of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.

"Long guns, Molotov cocktails, explosive devices and zip ties were recovered, which suggests a greater disaster was narrowly averted," Crow, a former Army Ranger, said in a summary of his call with McCarthy.

McCarthy assured him the Pentagon was working with local and federal law enforcement to coordinate security preparations after what he described as "deficient law enforcement threat reporting" ahead of last Wednesday.

Five people died in the attack, including a police officer.

Crow said he raised grave concerns about reports that active-duty and reserve military members were involved in the assault, and urged McCarthy to expedite investigations and courts-martial, and ensure no troops to be deployed on January 20 were sympathetic to domestic militants.

McCarthy agreed to take "additional measures," Crow said.

Separately, the Justice Department said in a statement there'd been two more arrests over the storming of the Capitol.

Larry Rendell Brock, of Texas, was arrested on Sunday and charged with one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the grounds of the Capitol. The government alleged Brock was identified as one of the individuals pictured holding a white flex cuff, which is used by law enforcement to restrain subjects.

Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, was also charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Photos show a person who appears to be Munchel carrying plastic restraints, the government said.

Australian Associated Press