Thursday, 16 September 2021 (YJC)_ The Capitol Police have requested the support of the National Guard on Saturday if events get violent at a rally of demonstrators.
The Capitol Police have requested the support of the National Guard on Saturday if events get violent at a rally of demonstrators supporting those arrested over the 6 January Capitol riot.
“The USCP has asked the Department of Defense for the ability to receive National Guard support should the need arise on September 18,” Capitol Police wrote in a statement. The agency declined to answer follow-up questions, citing security precautions.
Leading up to the 6 January riot, the army initially pushed to reject the District of Columbia government’s request for National Guard presence ahead of that rally.
The National Guard was unable to immediately send troops when needed that day, wasting time during a riot where hundreds entered the white-pillared building, ransacked it and forced the evacuation of lawmakers in the worst attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812.
The re-installation of the perimeter fence around the Capitol will also begin Wednesday night, according to an email sent to Senate staff on 15 September and obtained by The Washington Post. The fencing was erected after the failed security response to the 6 January storming of the building and stayed until two months ago.
The new temporary fencing will take about 24 hours to complete and will encompass Independence and Constitution avenues from First Street NE to First Street NW. “Barring any unforeseen issues,” the email states, the fence will begin to come down on Sunday. The Supreme Court will also have a temporary fence around its perimeter, according to the email.
District police activated all of its force for 17-18 September, and lawmakers have been briefed on security concerns, suggesting that law enforcement is taking a more assertive approach to Saturday’s rally after the security failures during the insurrection.
Your Comment