There were over 600 people arrested on various charges by Washington DC police and federal agents on January 6th.
Now, authorities are bracing for a September 18th rally for those arrested on January 6th for protesting how various aspects of the November election were handled on that day.
The Washington Metropolitan Police Department said it will have an “increased presence” around the city on Sept. 18, when a group organized by a former Trump campaign staffer plans to gather on Capitol grounds.Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the agency is “closely monitoring” plans for Sept. 18. Manger will also brief House and Senate leaders next week on security preparations for the rally, a source familiar with the matter said.Police agencies declined to share specific details about their preparation plans. But law enforcement experts say the failure to predict and prevent the violence on Jan. 6 means officials should prepare for the worst this time around. The rally also comes a month after the Capitol complex was evacuated because of a bomb threat followed by an hours-long standoff with a suspect.
Police are planning to reinstall the fence around the Capitol ahead of the event.
Though no specific measures have been announced, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hinted during her weekly press conference Wednesday at extra safety precautions for the Sept. 18 rally by saying: “We intend to have the integrity of the Capitol be intact.” Briefings for lawmakers, including congressional leaders, are expected in coming days.A security plan that is being finalized calls for a fenced perimeter on the streets immediately surrounding the Capitol building and the Supreme Court, though not around the congressional office buildings nearby, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement.The Capitol Police formally requested the fence to the board that oversees it, and it is likely to be approved, according to a House Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about private discussions.
It will be interesting to see how this event unfolds. Given the Biden administration’s failures in Afghanistan and along the border, now paired with a power-grabbing pandemic policy, ginning up anger at political opponents would be a standard play from their book of power.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY