US leaders increase security in state capitals across the country amid experts’ concerns about more violence

US leaders increase security in state capitals across the country amid experts’ concerns about more violence

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The FBI warned of indications that “armed protests” are being planned in all 50 state capitals and at the US Capitol in Washington in the days before January 20. A joint bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and eight other agencies says that domestic extremists pose the most likely threat to presidential tenure – especially those who believe the new government is illegitimate.

“As someone who worked on Al Qaeda-related terrorism during the 2000s at the Department of Justice and worked extensively on counterterrorism investigations and cases, we were often anticipating a subsequent attack on a worldwide event,” Carrie Cordero, a legal and security analyst. CNN’s national security said Saturday. “I have the same feeling now.”

“It looks like there is a substantial threat,” added Cordero.

In response, US state leaders are increasing security around the capitol grounds – attracting members of the National Guard for help, erecting barriers, closing boarded windows, asking residents to avoid the area and some even closing the land of the capitol.
Towards 'a buzzsaw': why extremism experts fear the Capitol attack is just the beginning
In Washington, DC, the Pentagon authorized up to 25,000 members of the National Guard for Induction Day. National Guard members who support US Capitol Security will be armed, according to the Department of Defense.
Rehearsal for the opening ceremony will be delayed one day amid security concerns, said Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli cited “online conversations” about the rehearsal day previously scheduled for Sunday, but said there were no “specific credible threats”.

“The decision was made to delay one day and leave the Secret Service in one position, and the entire team across the Washington metro area, to be prepared to respond that day if necessary,” he said.

DC Mayor asks Americans to attend inauguration

The United States Capitol is seen behind a barbed wire fence on Saturday in Washington.

Enhanced security, combined with the Covid-19 pandemic, is contributing to an Opening Day unlike any other.

In a fortified Washington, DC, fences blocked areas previously open to the public, National Guard members patrolled near the Capitol, and much of the city was closed to vehicles and traffic on the streets.

Mayor Muriel Bowser asked Americans to enjoy the house opening virtually and asked anyone who doesn’t need to leave to avoid restricted areas.

“Our goals now are to encourage Americans to virtually participate and protect the District of Columbia from a repeat of the violent insurrection experienced on Capitol Hill and its grounds on January 6,” Bowser said during a news conference on Monday.
National Guard members stand before the US Capitol on Thursday in Washington.
On Friday, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man from Virginia as he tried to pass a police checkpoint with unauthorized inaugural credentials, an unregistered gun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition, according to court documents.
In an interview with the Washington Post, the man said he spent the past week working as a security guard hired in Washington, DC, and was given credentials to store media equipment. He told the Post that he forgot he had his firearm in his car when he left his home in Virginia, where he said he had a license to carry it.

Because of concerns about potential protests in state capitals, security measures are in place across the country. The US Postal Service temporarily removed some mailboxes in several major cities, while the Transportation Security Administration said on Friday that it “significantly increased its security posture”.

The House Oversight Committee also sent letters on Thursday to more than two dozen bus operators, car rental companies and hotels asking for help in “identifying and preventing the continuing and extreme threat of new violent attacks in Washington, DC and elsewhere in the future days. “

‘Nothing left to do’: States closing, setting up their capitol

A prohibited sign is seen on the state Capitol steps on Saturday in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Meanwhile, local and state leaders from coast to coast have increased security for the next few days, following warnings from authorities about potentially more violence.

In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear announced that the state capitol site will be closed entirely on Sunday to “further ensure the safety of everyone – both on and around the land and in neighborhoods around” the capitol.

“Domestic terror is never OK,” he said in a statement. “We must stop it every time we see it, and we cannot let what we saw in the United States Capitol become a new normal for this country.”

Texas officials also said the state capitol and its grounds would remain closed from Saturday to Wednesday, adding that they are aware of “planned armed protests” and “violent extremists who may try to exploit constitutionally protected events to carry out criminal acts”.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a tenure-related state of emergency to allow the state to “more effectively coordinate support and provide assistance” to local jurisdictions and neighboring states, the governor’s office said on Friday.

Minnesota leaders said on Friday they were ready for early protests, noting that there were no credible threats against the state capitol.

“I want everyone to be comfortable and confident that nothing has been left to do to keep the capitol safe,” said Department of Public Security Commissioner John Harrington.

“We are not panicking,” added Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We are concerned, we are alert and we are prepared.”

In South Carolina, Columbia city officials advised anyone who doesn’t need to be in the city center, close to the state capitol, to stay home.

“Unless there is a need, this weekend, and certainly on the opening day, to be in the center,” said Mayor Stephen Benjamin, “I encourage you to stay home.”

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Greg Wallace, Lauren Fox, Hollie Silverman, Raja Razek, Ross Levitt, Artemis Moshtaghian, Manu Raju, Jamie Crawford and Whitney Wild, Jon Passantino, Rebekah Riess contributed to this report.

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