US leaders increase security at state capitals across the country amid experts’ concerns about more violence

US leaders increase security at state capitals across the country amid experts’ concerns about more violence

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The FBI has warned of indications that “armed protests” are planned at the 50 capitals and the US capital in Washington in the days before January 20th. A joint bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and eight other agencies. says domestic extremists pose the most likely threat to the presidential inauguration – especially those who believe the incoming government is illegal.

“As someone who worked on al-Qaeda terrorism at the Department of Justice during the 2000s and worked extensively on investigations and cases against terrorism, there were several times that we would expect a follow-up attack on a world event,” Carrie said. Cordero, a CNN legal and national security analyst, said Saturday. “I felt the same way now.”

“It feels like there is a significant threat,” Cordero added.

In response, state leaders across the U.S. are increasing security around their capital lands – pulling in National Guard members for help, erecting barriers, opening windows, asking residents to avoid the area and some even shutting down the capital lands altogether.
On the road 'in a buzz': Why extremists fear the Capitol attack is just the beginning
In Washington, DC, the Pentagon authorized up to 25,000 members of the National Guard for the inauguration day. According to the Department of Defense, members of the National Guard who support U.S. Capitol Security will be armed.
The inauguration ceremony will now be delayed one day amid major security issues, said Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security. Cuccinelli on Sunday quoted ‘online chats’ about the previously scheduled training day, but said there was ‘no specific credible threat’.

“The decision was made to postpone a day and put the Secret Service in a position, and the entire team across the Washington metro area to be prepared to respond to that day if necessary,” he said.

DC Mayor urges Americans to watch their inauguration from home

The American Capitol is seen in Washington on Saturday behind a fence with razor wire.

The increased security, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, makes for an inauguration day, unlike any other.

In a fortified Washington, DC, fenced areas that were once open to the public were cordoned off, members of the National Guard patrolled near the Capitol and much of the city was closed to vehicles and street traffic.

Mayor Muriel Bowser encouraged Americans to enjoy the inauguration virtually from home and asked everyone who did not need to be out to avoid restricted areas.

“Our goals at present are to encourage Americans to engage virtually and to protect the District of Columbia from a repeat of the violent uprising that took place on January 6 at the Capitol and its grounds,” Bowser said Monday during a news conference said.
National Guard members stand outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Thursday.
U.S. Capitol police arrested a Virginia man on Friday as he tried to pass through a police checkpoint with unauthorized arrests, an unregistered gun and more than 500 shots of ammunition, according to court documents.
In an interview with the Washington Post, the man said he spent the past week as a hired security guard in Washington, DC, and that he received credentials to guard media equipment. He told the Post he forgot he had his firearm in his car when he left his home in Virginia, where he said he had a license to transport.

Due to concerns about possible protests at the capitals of the country, there are security measures across the country. The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily removed some mailboxes in several major cities, while the Transportation Safety Administration said Friday that it has significantly increased a safe attitude.

The Home Surveillance Committee also sent letters on Thursday to more than two dozen bus line, taxi company and hotel managers asking for help in identifying and preventing the ongoing and extreme threat of further violent attacks in Washington, DC and elsewhere. days. “

‘Nothing left undone’: states close, arm their capitals

A restricted sign is seen on the steps of the state Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, local and state leaders from coast to coast have stepped up security for the coming days, following officials’ warnings of possible more violence.

In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear announced that the capital’s grounds will be completely closed on Sunday to further ensure the safety of all – on or around the site and in the surrounding areas of the Capitol.

“Domestic terror is never OK,” he said in a statement. “We have to stop it every time we see it, and we can not allow what we have seen at the American Capitol to become a new normal for this country.”

Texas officials also said the state Capitol and its grounds will remain closed from Saturday to Wednesday, adding that they are aware of ‘planned armed protests’ and’ violent extremists who may want to exploit constitutionally protected events to carry out criminal acts. . ‘

The Maryland government, Larry Hogan, has declared a state of emergency related to the inauguration, enabling the state to “coordinate support more effectively and provide assistance” to its local jurisdictions and neighboring states, the governors’ office said Friday. .

Minnesota leaders said Friday they are ready for the expected protests, noting that there are no credible threats against the Capitol.

“I want you all to be comfortable and ensure that nothing is done to keep the capital safe,” said John Harrington, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

“We are not panicking,” added Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “We are worried, we are vigilant and we are prepared.”

In South Carolina, officials in the city of Columbia advised everyone not to be in the city center, near the state Capitol, to stay home.

“Unless it is necessary to be downtown this weekend, and certainly also on the inauguration day,” Mayor Stephen Benjamin said, “I encourage you to stay home.”

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Greg Wallace, Lauren Fox, Hollie Silverman, Raja Razek, Ross Levitt, Artemis Moshtaghian, Manu Raju, Jamie Crawford and Whitney Wild, Jon Passantino, Rebekah Riess contributed to this report.

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