As Capitol security officials set out for Saturday’s pro-Trump rally in Washington, lawmakers and their aides have been given a simple directive: move away from the building.
“Unless required to be on site, members and staff are advised to avoid the U.S. Capitol complex on Sept. 18,” Arms Sergeant William Walker wrote in a note sent to the entire chamber on Tuesday. evening.
If they are to visit Capitol Hill on Saturday, home lawmakers and their employees should park in underground garages and move between buildings through underground tunnels, rather than walk outside, Walker advised.
Strong guidelines are just the latest step taken by security officials to prevent Saturday’s protest from becoming the same kind of violent melee that took place on Jan. 6, when a crowd of Trump supporters stormed in. the Capitol in a failed effort to overthrow its electoral defeat. .
Approximately 140 policemen were injured in the riot. Another officer died a day later, after relating to the crowd. And four additional officers have died by suicide in the following months.
After the deadly event, top Capitol security officials, including the Capitol police chief and gun officers from both chambers, resigned. Eight months later, his replacements are fighting to ensure that history is not repeated at Saturday’s “Justice for J6” rally, which aims to protest the treatment of hundreds of people arrested in connection with the riot. January 6.
On Monday, Walker and Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger briefed top congressional leaders on both the latest information on the threat posed by Saturday’s rally and their efforts to combat possible violence during the event.
These steps include the reinstallation of the imposing seven-foot fence surrounding the Capitol and other parts of the complex, which was installed immediately after the January 6 uprising.
Meanwhile, it seems that the organizers of Saturday’s protest are taking their own steps to promote a peaceful event. On Tuesday, Matt Braynard, organizer and former member of the Trump campaign, asked participants not to wear symbols or slogans that endorse the old ones. President Trump
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“We ask that anyone who attends our events not wear any clothing or have signs in support of President Trump or Biden,” Braynard wrote.
“Anyone who doesn’t comply with this request is supposed to be an infiltrator and we’ll take a picture of him, find out who you are and make you famous.”