(Photo by Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. with a perimeter fence surrounding the entire historical building. The fencing was erected following the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol by thousands of supporters of former president Trump.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – The security fencing around the U.S. Capitol is set to come down starting Friday, some six months following the infamous Trump-inspired deadly riot. The Associated Press reported that the remaining fencing could be gone as of next Monday. The U.S. Capital became a fortress patrolled by thousands of National Guard troops and police with sharp razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the building to deter any further potential violence following the January riot.
25,000 National Guard Troops Deployed For President Biden Inauguration
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) National Guard troops on duty in front of U.S. Capital building fortified with barricaded fencing and razor wire in Washington D.C. March 4, 2021
About 25,000 National Guard troops were brought in for President Biden’s inauguration following the insurrection. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III later approved a request by the U.S. Capitol Police for continued National Guard support through May 23, 2021 amid security concerns. U.S. Capitol Police disclosed at the time that it was in possession of intelligence of a potential plot by a militia group to storm the historical building again.
U.S. Capitol Police Will “Never Forget” Officers Who Died Amid Attack
“It has been six months since rioters attacked the United States Capitol and our brave police officers and law enforcement partners who fought valiantly to protect elected leaders and the democratic process. We will never forget USCP Officers Brian Sicknick and Howie Liebengood, who died after the attack, nor the sacrifices of the nearly 150 law enforcement officers who were injured. Since that day, our team has been working with federal law enforcement agents to track down the suspects and bring them to justice. So far more than 500 defendants face charges.”
-Capitol Police statement July 6, 2021
Republican Lawmakers Question Whether Thousands of Uniformed Troops Necessary to Secure Capital
By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. with razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the entire historical building.
A week after President Biden was sworn in, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton wrote an op-ed for Fox News stating that contrary to Defense Department and local law enforcement plans, the guardsmen should leave the Capitol grounds as soon as possible.
“I’m aware of no specific, credible threat reporting … that justifies this continued troop presence,” wrote Cotton, a former soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Thus, I believe the rest of these soldiers should also go home to their families and civilian jobs.”
