US Capitol outer perimeter fence to be removed this weekend

US Capitol outer perimeter fence to be removed this weekend

by

In a memo for members of Congress and Congress officials on Friday obtained by CNN, acting weapons sergeant Timothy Blodgett said that the U.S. Capitol Police, in conjunction with the Capitol architect “will remove the outer fence around of the Capitol complex earlier than originally anticipated. “

The outer perimeter fence will be removed this weekend, allowing traffic on Avenida da Independência and Avenida da Constitution on Monday. The memo says the decision was reached because “there is no known and credible threat to Congress or the Capitol Complex that justifies the temporary security fence.”

The fence was erected shortly after the rebels broke into the building – leaving several people dead, including a Capitol police officer – and has remained in place ever since.

CNN reported on Sunday that the U.S. Capitol Police intended to reduce the perimeter encirclement in the next two weeks, according to an internal email, and was considering reducing the National Guard’s presence on Capitol Hill. Security forces have been examining how to protect themselves against threats in the midst of a tense political climate and criticism by some lawmakers that suggestions for far-reaching security are excessive.

The Capitol police force still believes it is operating in an environment of high threat due to the political climate and increased domestic violent extremism, according to the email, but it also claims that there is no credible threat known to Congress or the Capitol . The police said in the e-mail that the plans could change if the authorities became aware of new threats.

At the Capitol, Congressional leaders are discussing a new $ 2 billion financing package that would strengthen security around the Capitol and reinforce the vulnerabilities exposed by the January 6 attack, according to sources familiar with the talks. A permanent fence around the Capitol, hundreds of new security officers – whether the National Guard or the presence of the military police – and new authorities for the District of Columbia National Guard to be dispatched in emergency situations are among the many details to be considered. to be considered, one of the sources said.
CNN reported last month that the US Capitol Police told lawmakers that the barbed wire fence around the Capitol should remain until at least September due to persistent security concerns related to threats against members of Congress, according to a source familiar with the plans.

US Capitol Police asked to maintain the fence for another 180 days – an extension of a set deadline to expire in March, the source said, adding that the Capitol Police Council was considering the request.

Earlier this month, American officials alerted lawmakers to a potential threat to the Capitol. Information provided by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned of increased talk among extremists, including members of the Three Percenters group, discussing possible conspiracies against Capitol on March 4, a date on which conspiracy theorists focused, according to with sources familiar with the matter.

But even with the increase in security, the police said it was not clear whether the discussion went beyond the conversation between members.

The Chamber changed its voting schedule in light of the Capitol Police’s warning of security risks. Security was strengthened as a precaution, less than two months after the Capitol complex was invaded and the lives of lawmakers threatened by protesters. Nothing out of the ordinary happened at the Capitol on March 4.

This story has been updated with background information.

CNN’s Whitney Wild, Manu Raju, Jeremy Herb, Zachary Cohen and Jim Sciutto contributed to this report.

.Source