Washington, DC’s only congressman pleaded with police in the Capitol on Saturday to weaken security measures as the country’s capital backs one of the biggest snowstorms in years.
“The west side of the Capitol is known as the best place for sledding in the high-density urban area of DC,” Democratic Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton said in a statement to the federal law enforcement agency.
The DC congresswoman reminded the Capitol police that she has a provision in the bill on the legislative tax allowance that allows her to direct Capitol sled at her discretion.
The U.S. Capitol has been under strict security measures, leading to the deaths of five people, including one police officer, since the January 6 attack by Trump supporters. Two other police officers later took their own lives.
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Security officials called 25,000 national guards to stand at the Capitol during the inauguration of President Biden, and thousands of troops remained behind in the weeks that followed.
However, the congresswoman tried to appeal to the Capitol police and requested that children, who had endured an “extremely challenging year” with not only the coronavirus but also the recent riots that “militarized their environment” “may use the Capitol site. .
“It may be the only snowstorm DC gets this winter, and is perhaps one of the best for sledding in years,” Norton said. “Kids and their parents need to be able to sled on one of the best hills in town.”
About 7,000 national guards remained at the Capitol as security officials continued their concerns about potential civil unrest when the Senate’s indictment on President Trump began in February.
But Norton suggested that they could maintain safe measures by allowing only children and adults with children the land on the west side of the Capitol.
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“Sledding is a simple childhood thrill. It’s the least we can allow this winter season for our resilient kids,” Congressman said Saturday.
A National Guard spokesman told Fox News on Saturday night: “Due to the current security situation, COVID-19 restrictions and the deconstruction of the Inauguration platform, we are currently unable to allow sledding on the Capitol complex. “
“We look forward to welcoming sledges back in the future,” they added.
Mike Emanuel contributed to this report.