Capitol forces plead for permanent barrier as Pelosi warns ‘the enemy is within’
The Capitol needs permanent fencing and backup forces continuously stationed nearby, the Capitol Police chief said Thursday, immediately sparking objections from lawmakers concerned about creating a fortress that distances the public from the Legislative Branch.
In a lengthy statement, acting chief Yogananda Pittman pledged to work with lawmakers to permanently beef up security in and around the complex, where thousands of National Guard troops have been deployed since the Jan. 6 insurrection.
“In light of recent events, I can unequivocally say that vast improvements to the physical security infrastructure must be made to include permanent fencing, and the availability of ready, back-up forces in close proximity to the Capitol,” Pittman said.
Lawmakers from both parties immediately objected to the police chief’s recommendations, noting that they have not received any threat assessments that would suggest permanent fencing would be necessary. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also said the city “will not accept” permanent fencing or additional security forces “being a long-term fixture in D.C.”
Even before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the police chief said, security experts recommended the Capitol be better fortified, and a 2006 security assessment recommended permanent perimeter fencing.
Separately, top Democrats in Congress are calling for extra money to help lawmakers protect themselves. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said additional security for members will likely require more funding “when the enemy is within the House of Representatives — a threat that members are concerned about — in addition to what is happening outside.”
“It means that we have members of Congress that want to bring guns on the floor and have threatened violence on other members of Congress,” Pelosi said during her weekly press conference.
Freshmen lawmakers like Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) have pledged to carry firearms on Capitol grounds, clashing with plans to install metal detectors at the entrance of the House chamber. A CNN review of Facebook posts found that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) expressed support for executing prominent Democrats, including liking a January 2019 comment that said “a bullet to the head would be quicker“ to remove Pelosi. [Continue reading…]