What we know about potential protests before Joe Biden took office

What we know about potential protests before Joe Biden took office

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A week after a pro-Trump crowd searched the United States Capitol, federal officials reiterated a warning on a call with police leaders across the country, saying they remain concerned that extremists will appear at planned rallies and conduct acts of violence.
Security is also increasing in battle states that were crucial to President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential victory, with governors activating the National Guard, closing capitols, erecting fences and barriers and, in at least two cases, boarding windows.

All of this adds up to an opening like no other, with no crowds in DC and maximum security across the country.

Hundreds of National Guard troops are at the Capitol Visitor Center to reinforce Capitol security this week.
A week after the pro-Trump crowd invaded the United States Capitol, the area around the Capitol is under strict security. National Guard members were present everywhere, including inside the Capitol, and a new fence blocked the perimeter of the area.

DC police chief Robert Contee said on Wednesday that more than 20,000 members of the National Guard can be expected in the district for Biden’s inauguration, although he noted that the final numbers will be provided by the U.S. Secret Service.

Feds warn that extremists may be encouraged to carry out additional attacks after the Capitol insurrection

The authorities added that there is no concern that there will be any shortage of Guard forces to meet the demands of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Contee told reporters he remains concerned amid a “major security threat” ahead of the inauguration and planned demonstrations in the district this weekend.

“I was worried before today and I’m going to spend this weekend and after,” said Contee on Wednesday.

He also praised DC Mayor Mayor Muriel Bowser’s security posture, including discouraging people from coming to DC for the inauguration.

“There is a major security threat and we are working to mitigate those threats,” he added.

Bowser said on Wednesday that he was trying to convince US Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to cancel public collection authorizations and deny future requests during the period until the inauguration.

How states are preparing

Georgia State Troopers stand guard in front of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021.

States across the country are increasing security and calling on the National Guard to protect Capitol buildings before possible protests, including in Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

Several states are implementing heavy fences and additional crowd control measures around their Capitol buildings, including Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia and Washington, while Pennsylvania has built barriers and increased security.

Although many Capitol buildings are closed due to coronavirus restrictions, the warnings are of particular concern in states that allow people to openly carry weapons and those where Trump has falsely alleged fraud.

How major states plan to protect their Capitol buildings before possible pro-Trump protests
In Michigan, where heavily armed protesters filled the state capitol in Lansing in the spring, open firearms were prohibited inside the building. Still, the mayor of Lansing asked the governor to call on the National Guard to protect the Capitol, and the state attorney general said the new ban on carrying firearms is not enough.

“The state capitol is not secure,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel.

In Virginia, a state of emergency was declared in Richmond and Capitol Square will be closed before protests in the state capitol building. The state is anticipating a meeting on Monday for “Lobby Day,” an annual protest event that last year brought thousands of gun rights advocates to the Capitol.

In Oregon, the FBI set up a command post to gather and share intelligence with law enforcement officials about potential threats of violence to the state capitol.

In Florida and Oklahoma, lawmakers and officials are being told to work from home this weekend due to the likelihood of protests. Utah is also closing its Capitol building due to planned protests. In Wisconsin and Virginia, workers closed the windows on the first floor of their capital before potential protests.

Several large states are also on high alert. In New York, the state police took steps “to strengthen security in and around the State Capitol in Albany” before Biden took office. And in California, fences have been deployed around the Capitol, where the governor says there is a “high level of security” and the National Guard can be deployed.

CNN’s Amanda Watts, Alison Main, Nicky Robertson, Barbara Starr and Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.

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