More than two months after the January 6 uprising, National Guard troops continue to patrol the Capitol site, which is surrounded by razor wire fences. U.S. Capitol police say an increased threat level remains a problem, though McConnell disagrees.
“I only checked earlier this morning. There are no serious threats against the Capitol. I think we are responding to the current need,” McConnell said.
“I’m very uncomfortable about my voters not being able to get to the Capitol. With all this razor wire around the complex, it reminds me of my last visit to Kabul. It’s the capital of the United States. “We’re probably doing it. But I think we’re continuing to respond based on the current threat levels, which are needed here at the Capitol. It seems terrible to have the beacon of our democracy surrounded by razor wire and the national guard troops, ”McConnell added.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday approved the request of the U.S. Capitol Police to keep nearly 2,300 national troops on the Capitol grounds until May 23. There are currently about 5,100 guard members on duty in the Capitol area.