Washington, DC’s only congresswoman, begged the Capitol Police on Saturday to loosen security measures as the nation’s capital prepares for what could be one of the biggest snowstorms in years.
“The west side of the Capitol is known as perhaps the best place to go sledding in DC’s high-density urban setting,” said Democratic MP Eleanor Holmes Norton in a statement to the federal public security agency.
The DC Congresswoman reminded the Capitol Police that she has a clause in the Legislative Power bill that allows her to steer the Capitol sleds at her discretion.
The U.S. Capitol has been under tightened security measures since the January 6 attack on the building by pro-Trump supporters, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer. Later, two other policemen took their own lives.
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Security officials summoned 25,000 national guards to be stationed on Capitol Hill during President Biden’s inauguration, and thousands of soldiers remained behind for the next few weeks.
But the congresswoman tried to appeal to the Capitol Police, asking that children, who “endured an extremely challenging year” not only with the coronavirus, but with the recent disturbances that “militarized” her neighborhood, are allowed to use the Capitol gardens .
“This may be the only snowstorm DC will have this winter and it may be one of the best for sledding in years,” said Norton. “Children and their parents should enjoy sledding on one of the best hills in the city.”
Approximately 7,000 national guards remained on Capitol Hill while security officials remained concerned about potential civil unrest when President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial begins in February.
But Norton suggested that they could maintain safe measures by allowing only children, and adults with children, to enter the grounds on the west side of the Capitol.
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“Sledding is a simple childhood emotion. It is the least we can allow our tough children this winter,” said the congresswoman on Saturday.
A National Guard spokesman told Fox News on Saturday night that “Unfortunately, due to the current security stance, the restrictions on COVID-19 and the deconstruction of the inaugural platform, we cannot allow sleds at the Capitol Complex at this time. “
“We, however, look forward to getting the sleds back in the future,” they added.
Mike Emanuel contributed to this report.