The Michigan House and Senate will close their Lansing offices Monday, citing “safety and security concerns” as presidential electors prepare to meet at the Capitol to certify their votes.
According to the Detroit News, notifications to lawmakers and staff were sent out on Sunday night after some expected supporters of President Trump to gather outside the building in the wake of electors casting their votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
However, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a Republican, said the closures were due to recommendations from law enforcement and not over anticipated protests.
Thousands of Trump supporters gathered in Washington, D.C., over the weekend to show support for the president and reject the declared victory of Biden.
On Saturday night, clashes between counter political groups resulted in violence and led to nine people being taken to the hospital, including two police officers. Police arrested 23 people on a number of charges.
Trump has yet to concede to Biden, who was declared the winner by several media outlets over a month ago. Biden’s win is expected to be certified on Monday, as the Trump campaign wraps up its legal efforts to fight his victory.
Trump supporters have reportedly called on GOP lawmakers in Michigan to intervene with the state’s 16 electors, who are set to cast their votes for Biden.
Michigan was considered one of the crucial swing states needed for a path to the White House. The Trump campaign has been mired in litigation in the state, where they allege voter fraud swung the state in Biden’s direction.
Biden narrowly won Michigan 51% to 48%, or by 154,000 votes. The Board of State Canvassers certified the state’s results on Nov. 23.
In 2016, Trump unexpectedly won Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where he defied polls and years of Democratic dominance. In 2020, Biden pulled all three states back to his party.
