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Security is increasing in Washington following warnings of right-wing extremist violence before Joe Biden was sworn in as the new president of the United States.
About 20,000 members of the US National Guard are at the scene, three times as many military troops as the country has stationed in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq combined.
– It’s terrible to see that we have to do it like this, but it’s good that they seem to take the threats seriously, says Holly Norman, a 65-year-old Washington resident.
The streets are cordoned off with military vehicles several hundred meters from the congress. A steel fence has surrounded the green area for a few days, and behind it are soldiers in camouflage lined up with automatic weapons on their shoulders. Central Washington has almost been transformed into a military base.
Jake Brown, 25, who leaves the dog on the barricades, stops to observe the military operation. During the storm, he heard commotion, sirens, and several bangs from his balcony.
– Seeing all this is a bit disturbing. You usually walk around here and feel safe, this is definitely new. But it’s necessary and actually makes me feel a little more protected, he says.
Photo: PETER WIXTRÖM
Jake Brown, 25, who leaves the dog on the barricades, stops to observe the military operation.
Photo: PETER WIXTRÖM
The military and the police protect the House of Congress. There is more military presence in Washington than the United States has sent in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria combined.
Urged to stay home
Typically, tens of thousands gather on the National Mall to celebrate the inauguration of a new president, this time urging people to stay home. Partly because of the pandemic, and now also because of the growing security threat facing the country after the assault on the Capitol just over a week ago.
Up to 20,000 members of the US National Guard will work in the coming days to secure the capital, three times more troops than the US has stationed in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq combined.
Holly Norman, 65, watches the military at the convention. She was in a building near the riots and was one of those who were forced to evacuate.
– It’s a relief that they seem to take threats seriously. But it is heartbreaking to see what one man can do. It doesn’t feel like our country anymore, he says.
Photo: PETER WIXTRÖM
Holly Norman, 65, thinks it’s good that threats are taken seriously.
Warns of new threats
In the coming days, the FBI warns of new threats: a series of armed protests is planned in the country until the installation. Not just in Washington DC, even in the big cities of the country. Something that worries many when the country’s security apparatus is concentrated in the capital.
– There is still the possibility of violent attacks. So I’m glad the army is here, because I think it can stop some people from taking action. At least I didn’t try to topple the government when it looks like this, says Holly Norman.
Due to security threats, the National Guard sends three times more than was initially planned at the Biden facility, with the area closing several days earlier than expected. The White House and the residence of Vice President Mike Pence have also been reinforced with additional security barriers.
Police and security authorities have received massive criticism after last week’s attack, after ignoring threats from right-wing extremist groups when plans to occupy the Capitol were circulated online in advance. Now you want to do everything you can to avoid a recurrence.
Different horror scenarios
In recent days, the Department of Defense has been through a number of possible terror scenarios, claims a New York Times employee. Among other things, how people might attack high-ranking politicians with firearms, that planes are trying to enter Capitol airspace for a suicide attack, or that remote-controlled drones are used to attack crowds. Other Pentagon officials have expressed concern that someone will try to plant tube bombs again, as before the assault on Congress.
But experts monitoring the conversation threads of right-wing extremists say some groups appear to be backtracking in their plans to come to DC, in part precisely because of the high presence of the National Guard and police, the Washington Post reports. Although the risk of violence appears to have decreased somewhat, most officials agree that the capital is vulnerable to further attacks in the last days before the handover of power.
– I don’t want to say that this military presence is too late, but it would have done a lot if we had this security already last week, says Jake Brown.
Photo: PETER WIXTRÖM
About 20,000 members of the US National Guard are at the scene, three times as many military troops as the country has stationed in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq combined.
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