The US Capitol grounds were seeing a “2.13-meter non-scalable fence” erected on Thursday, the day after an out-of-control crowd broke into the Senate and House of Representatives.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy confirmed plans to build the fence during a news conference, where he spoke alongside Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city’s chief police officer, Chief Robert Contee.
The action came after protesters breached security on Wednesday to wreak havoc inside the building – in some cases, disfiguring the space and stealing property – causing lawmakers attending a joint session of Congress to hide.
QUICK FACTS
- President Trump condemned Wednesday’s “heinous attack” on Capitol Hill by his supporters and called for a cure.
- At least 4 people died and more than 50 USCP and MPD officers were injured.
Violent protesters invade the Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, in Washington. (Associated Press)
Meanwhile, more than 6,000 members of the National Guard have been deployed in the city, to be deployed by the weekend.
The fence will stay in place for at least 30 days.
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