Significantly more U.S. troops have been deployed on Capitol Hill than in Afghanistan and Iraq combined, a staggering statistic that underscores how massively security is present.
The physical security perimeter around the Capitol and other important buildings is also expanding. Roadblocks and steel barriers stretch many blocks from the Capitol. Roadblocks are also being erected further from the White House and the National Naval Observatory, where the vice president lives.
The Secret Service is leading the overall security effort in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and the Pentagon. Several senior defense officials told CNN that there are major “requirements” between the agencies meeting Wednesday to discuss in-depth security requirements.
Asked if he had ever seen such a strengthening of law enforcement come to the district, the newly installed Chief Contee, who is a veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department and a lifelong DC resident, replied: “not at this level no, no. “
Several defense officials told CNN that the total request for the National Guard is nearly 30,000 guards to support the U.S. Capitol Police, the Park Police and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, but officials believe the actual number is closer to 20,000. The final numbers will be provided by the secret service.
Officials added that there was no concern that there would be a shortage of guards to meet the requirements of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Officials consider raising national terror threat level
According to two sources familiar with the discussions, discussions are underway on increasing the level of threat to terrorism, although one source warned that no changes are expected.
The National Terrorism Advisory System – which has replaced color-coded warnings from the Homeland Security Advisory System – falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Advice is issued in the event of an imminent or increased threat to the public.
One official said the talks began after last week’s uprising and were based on information that a similar attack by ‘armed militias’ could take place at the Capitol or elsewhere.
The latest advice issued stems from an Iran-related terrorist threat to the United States in January last year. It has since expired. According to the DHS website, decisions about the issuance of an advice, and what form it takes, are informed by ‘intelligence assessments and risks to the public and critical infrastructure’.
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN.
“The chat is not in the rankings”
The Secret Service is taking the lead in inaugurating security planning operations, as there is a growing concern among law enforcement officials that the success of violating violent crowds by the Capitol has increased the potential for attacks because people can be encouraged to commit violence.
“The conversation is off the cards at the moment,” said one official.
CNN reported Tuesday that thousands of Donald Trump’s armed extremists plan to surround the U.S. Capitol ahead of Biden’s inauguration, according to a member of Congress who was informed late Monday.
But the Secret Service is prepared to secure the inauguration, Ken Cuccinelli, the second-in-command of the Department of Homeland Security, told CNN, while acknowledging that there are always ‘problem players’ showing up.
“There are always problem players who speak before an inauguration, and there are always a few who show up,” Cuccinelli, the DHS senior official who performed the duties of deputy secretary, asked about threats for the upcoming meeting. Cuccinelli also said the secret service was prepared for the possibility of a bigger security problem than the events of January 6, but added that the agency was “thoroughly prepared to fight it.”
Several officials told CNN that there is a much better feeling that things are organized and set up right because the secret service is in charge, with one official simply saying, “They are not wasting.”
Cuccinelli, who has been the department’s public face on security issues since the Capitol attack, said the biggest change to security preparations postponed the start date for the National Special Security Event (NSSE) by six days, with the official designation Wednesday morning.
An NSSE is intended to gather the full power of the federal government and its resources and establish the secret service as the guide for security operations.
The security measures even include parking spaces.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said public parking garages in areas in downtown DC and near the Capitol will be closed from 6 a.m. ET Friday until the inauguration. Any cars left in those garages will be inaccessible until after the inauguration.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Vivian Salama, Alison Main, Nicky Robertson and Barbara Starr contributed to this report.