Capitol security officials are warning lawmakers that thousands of extremist supporters of the President Trump
Republican Party leader Donald TrumpHouse tells members to stop spreading lies in the turmoil, Antifa DC attorney general says the Trump Organization wrongly paid the K account incurred during the opening 70K QAnon Twitter accounts suspended after the uproar in Capitol MORE are planning to try to invade the Capitol before the president-elect Joe Biden
Joe BidenCapitol police confirm an investigation into the behavior of some officers during the riot. Republican Party lawmakers have told Trump that he takes some responsibility for the disputes between the Chief of Staff of the Capitol Army Chief of the Capitol Police account of the National Guard detachment MOREinauguration of.
Lawmakers were informed of four specific armed threats against the Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court during a phone call on Monday night, according to a source familiar with the discussion.
The warnings come less than a week after a crowd of Trump supporters managed to breach the Capitol building, interrupting the counting of votes at the Electoral College and sending lawmakers, officials and journalists fighting for security.
Congressman Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) Said during an interview on CNN’s “New Day” Tuesday that one of the conspiracies involved pro-Trump radicals trying to surround the Capitol to prevent any Democrats from entering.
“They were talking about 4,000 armed ‘patriots’ to surround the Capitol and prevent any Democrats from entering,” said Lamb. “They published rules of engagement, that is, when you shoot and when you don’t. So this is an organized group that has a plan. They are committed to doing what they are doing because I think in their minds, you know, they are patriots and are talking about 1776 and therefore this is now a contest of wills. “
“We are not negotiating or reasoning with these people. They have to be prosecuted. They have to be stopped. And, unfortunately, that includes the president, so he needs to be impeached and removed,” added Lamb.
Lawmakers were already shaken after their lives were in danger during last week’s insurrection. And now, they are even more fearful after security officials informed them of additional threats.
“It was horrible, the scariest hour imaginable, but I don’t want to say anything else,” said a Democrat who attended the call.
“If you weren’t scared when you answered the call, you were scared when you left,” said a second lawmaker. “There were still 60 people in the queue who didn’t have a chance to ask their questions.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiMan is seen carrying Pelosi’s pulpit during Capitol riot released on bail K Trump and Pence speak for the first time since Capitol disturbances FBI seeks help to identify Capitol protesters who carried the Confederate flag MORE (D-Calif.) Called a meeting late Tuesday morning between the President of the Chamber’s Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro
Rosa DeLauroPelosi orders flags at half-staff for Capitol officer who died Bipartisan anger increases with police failure at the Capitol. Policeman dies after rioting MORE (D-Conn.), Chairman of the Board of Directors Committee Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Ellen LofgrenCapitol Chief of Police announces resignation after pro-Trump riots Congress claims Biden’s victory after protesters terrorize Capitol Capitol Police face pressure after crowd rape MORE (D-Calif.), The House’s new arms sergeant and the capitol police chief in office in light of continued threats to the capitol and lawmakers, a source said.
Going to the meeting with Pelosi, DeLauro said security concerns were “obvious” due to Wednesday’s blatant attack on Capitol Hill. But she also expressed confidence that law enforcement will have the area closed to ensure security around Biden’s tenure.
“I think they are controlling everything,” she said. “I mean, the worry has been obvious since Wednesday, but it’s what you do with the worry and that’s what they’re dealing with.”
The authorities seem to be preparing for the worst.
An imposing 2.13-meter “non-scalable” perimeter fence has been erected around the Capitol, with similar barriers around the Supreme Court and several of the surrounding office buildings. And on Monday night, a train of at least six semi-trailers carrying huge flat beds stacked with more fences was seen passing through Capitol Police headquarters. A squad of forklifts was standing nearby to unload the barrier.
The Capitol now has a much more pronounced law enforcement presence, after members of the National Guard and local police officers were called on Wednesday to help the Capitol Police clean the building from the crowd.
Last week, protesters quickly broke through the low metal barricades originally placed on the site. Some members of the crowd even stole the barricades and used them as stairs to invade the Capitol.
At least 15,000 National Guard soldiers will be stationed in Washington on Induction Day, with 43 states and territories providing support.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
Muriel Bowser, Army Chief of Staff, disputes the Capitol Police Chief’s account of the deployment of the National Guard. Trump approves DC’s emergency declaration prior to Biden’s inauguration. The National Guard must increase DC’s presence to at least 10,000 before Biden takes possession MORE (D) and other lawmakers are asking the public to stay away from Washington on Induction Day, given the security threats from pro-Trump extremists, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I see no reason for you to come. For me, it is an event that obviously with COVID and everything, we were planning to have a much smaller opening ”, Rep. Tim Ryan
Timothy (Tim) RyanCapitol Police confirm investigation into the behavior of some policemen during the riot 1 police arrested, 2 suspended for conduct during attack on the Capitol Former NYPD chief asks 9/11 commission to investigate Capitol riot MORE (D-Ohio), the chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the Capitol Police and Legislative branch operations, he told reporters during a news conference on Monday.
“But considering all the activities from last week and the activities planned for the next few days, I see no reason to show up,” said Ryan.
In addition to security threats against Capitol facilities, members of Congress also face furious Trump supporters as they travel to and from Washington.
Last Friday, Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamGraham says he will support Biden’s choice of CIA. The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Democrats formally present impeachment article The Memo: GOP and nation struggle with what comes next MORE (RS.C.) had to be escorted by the police while walking through Reagan National Airport, near Washington, because Trump supporters continued to harass him.
Trump supporters shouted obscenities at Graham, calling him a “piece of shit” and “traitor”.
Juliegrace Brufke, Niv Elis and Mike Lillis contributed. Updated at 12:02 pm