Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee, and other city officials explained Monday the protocols and measures being implemented for the State of the Union address and trucker convoy.
Acting Assistant Chief of the Capitol Police Sean Gallagher told reporters, “Out of an abundance of caution, and in conjunction with a request from the U.S. Secret Service, we have installed the temporary security fence around the U.S. Capitol.”
Gallagher added, “Once we get through the State of the Union and have a successful event, a decision will be made soon after about the removal of that fence.”
When asked about the National Guard deployed in the city, Bowser said they are approved until March 7.
The officials urged residents to think about alternate forms of transportation in the event that the “trucking First Amendment demonstration” causes traffic jams.
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Contee told reporters, “We are prepared to take swift law enforcement actions for violations of our local and federal laws if necessary,” adding that “protests and demonstrations are not new to the residents and visitors of Washington, D.C.”
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He also said the MPD has increased staffing and enhanced its readiness ahead of the events. “We are closely coordinating and sharing information with our law enforcement partners across the country as well as our federal partners.”
