Fencing outside the US Capitol will be removed this weekend

Fencing outside the US Capitol will be removed this weekend

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Acting Sergeant Timothy Blodgett, on Friday by CNN, in a memorandum to members of Congress and congressional staff, said the U.S. Capitol Police in conjunction with the Capitol architect “will remove the exterior of the fence around the Capitol complex sooner. as initially expected. ‘

The outer fence of the perimeter will be removed this weekend, allowing traffic in Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue by Monday. The memo states that the decision was reached because “there is no known, credible threat against Congress or the Capitol complex that justifies the temporary security fence.”

The fence quickly increased after insurgents stormed the building – killing several people, including a Capitol Hill police officer, and staying in place ever since.

According to an internal email, CNN reported Sunday that U.S. Capitol police plan to reduce the fence within the next two weeks, and are considering scaling down the National Guard’s presence at the Capitol. Law enforcement agencies have been investigating protection against threats amid a tense political climate and criticism from some lawmakers that the proposals for long-distance security are excessive.

According to the email, the Capitol police are still in an increased threat environment due to the political climate and the increase in violent extremism, but claim that there is no credible threat to Congress or the Capitol. The police force said in the email that plans could change if officials become aware of new threats.

At Capitol Hill, congressional leaders are discussing a new $ 2 billion funding package that will strengthen security around the Capitol and address the vulnerabilities exposed by the January 6 attack, according to sources familiar with the talks. A permanent fence around the Capitol, hundreds of new security personnel – either the National Guard or a military police presence – and new authorities for the District of Columbia’s National Guard to be dispatched in emergencies are among the many details to consider from the sources said.
CNN reported last month that U.S. Capitol police told lawmakers that the razor wire fence around the Capitol should remain in place until at least September due to long-standing security issues related to threats against members of Congress, according to a source familiar with the plans.

The U.S. Capitol Police have asked for the fence to be kept for another 180 days – an extension of the deadline that would expire in March, the source said, adding that the Capitol Police Board is reviewing the request.

Earlier this month, U.S. officials warned lawmakers about a possible threat to the Capitol. Information provided by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned of increasing talks among extremists, including members of the Three Percenters group, and the discussion of possible conspiracies against the Capitol on March 4, a date on which conspiracy theorists focused has, according to sources familiar with the matter.

But even as security has been increased, law enforcement officials have said it is not clear that the discussion has moved beyond the conversation between members.

The House changed its roster in light of Capitol police warning of the security risks. Security was increased as a precaution, less than two months after the Capitol complex was stormed and lawmakers’ lives were threatened by rioters. Nothing extraordinary happened at the Capitol on March 4th.

This story has been updated with background information.

Whitney Wild, Manu Raju, Jeremy Herb, Zachary Cohen and Jim Sciutto of CNN contributed to this report.

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