Paul D. Irving facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul D. Irving
Official portrait, 2012
36th Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
In office January 17, 2012 – January 7, 2021
Leader	John Boehner Paul Ryan Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	Wilson Livingood
Succeeded by	Timothy Blodgett (acting)
Personal details
Born	Paul Douglas Irving August 1957 (age 67–68) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Spouse	Jean Parkinson ​ (m. 1989⁠–⁠2014)​
Education	American University (BA) Whittier Law School (JD)

Paul Douglas Irving (born August 1957) is an American former law enforcement officer. He served as the Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives from January 17, 2012, until January 7, 2021. This important role involves keeping order and security in the U.S. House of Representatives. He resigned from his position after the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Paul Irving's Early Life and Schooling

Paul Douglas Irving was born in Tampa, Florida, in 1957. He went to college and studied justice. In 1979, he earned a bachelor's degree from American University. Later, in 1982, he earned a law degree, called a J.D., from Whittier Law School.

Paul Irving's Career Journey

Paul Irving had a long career in law enforcement and security.

Working with the FBI

From 1980 to 1983, Irving worked as a clerk for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in their Los Angeles office. The FBI is a major law enforcement agency in the United States.

Serving in the Secret Service

In 1983, Irving joined the United States Secret Service. This agency is well-known for protecting the President of the United States and other important leaders. During his time there, he held several key roles:

• He was a supervisor in the Presidential Protection Division, helping to keep the President safe.
• He also served as Deputy Assistant Director for Congressional Affairs.
• He was an Assistant Director for Administration.

In 2003, Irving was assigned to the Executive Office of the President at the White House. This happened during a time when the Secret Service was moving to become part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Irving retired from the Secret Service in 2008.

After the Secret Service

After retiring from the Secret Service, Irving became involved in other work. He was the president and managing partner of his family's real estate investment company. Later, he joined Command Consulting Group, which is a company that advises on security and intelligence around the world. He worked as a senior security consultant in their Washington, D.C. office and managed their office in Miami, Florida.

Becoming Sergeant at Arms

On January 17, 2012, Paul Irving was chosen to be the House Sergeant at Arms. This is a very important job that involves maintaining security and order within the U.S. House of Representatives. He became widely known after the events that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Responding to the 2021 Capitol Events

On January 4, 2021, the chief of the Capitol Police, Steven Sund, asked Paul Irving and the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, Michael C. Stenger, for extra help from the D.C. National Guard. This request was not approved at that time. Sund later stated that Irving's reason for not approving was concern about how it would look, but Irving has said this claim is not true.

On January 6, 2021, around 1:00 p.m., a large crowd of people moved past barriers and officers at the Capitol. Representative Zoe Lofgren tried to contact the Capitol Police chief but could not. Irving told Lofgren that the doors to the Capitol were locked and that "nobody can get in."

At 1:09 p.m., Chief Sund called Irving and Stenger again. He asked them to make an emergency declaration, which was needed to call in the D.C. National Guard. Both Irving and Stenger told Sund they would "run it up the chain," meaning they would pass the request to higher authorities. Irving called back with formal approval about an hour later. Irving later said that the 1:09 p.m. conversation did not happen, but phone records showed that the call did take place.

On January 7, 2021, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, announced that Paul Irving would be resigning from his role as Sergeant at Arms. Chief Sund and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Stenger also resigned from their positions.