Capitol Police announced Monday the department will place temporary fencing around the U.S. Capitol building in response to “concerning online chatter” about a planned rally on Saturday.
In a statement, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said, “We are here to protect everyone’s First Amendment right to peacefully protest.”
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“I urge anyone who is thinking about causing trouble to stay home. We will enforce the law and not tolerate violence,” Manger said.
In the aftermath of the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, police placed a fence around the building. That fence was taken down in July, although Capitol Police said at the time they may do so again if the circumstances warranted such action.
The department said the Capitol Police Board approved a plan to restore the fencing temporarily and allow the department to deputize law enforcement officers from other agencies as Capitol Police special officers.
Alongside the announcement, the department tweeted pictures of its officers conducting recent training exercises.
Here are some pictures from our recent training exercises. pic.twitter.com/GqlHc9jmQl
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) September 13, 2021
“We want to reassure everyone these are temporary measures to ensure everyone’s safety,” Manger said. “We are extremely grateful for the support we continue to receive from the local community and our Congressional stakeholders as we carry out our critical mission.”
Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the nature of the online chatter that prompted the security measure.
Far-right extremist groups are planning to rally for “justice” for the hundreds of people who have been charged with crimes in connection to the Jan. 6 riot, the Associated Press reported. On Jan. 6, hundreds of people stormed the Capitol Complex, delaying certification of the presidential election results by several hours.
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Capitol Police also announced Monday that the department arrested a suspected white supremacist outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in possession of a bayonet and a machete earlier that morning.
The department also announced over the weekend it would recommend disciplinary action for six officers in connection to the riot.
