National Guard troops sleep in Capitol as security fortified ahead of inauguration

[Stevicus]

National Guard troops sleep in Capitol as security fortified ahead of inauguration - UPI.com

Jan. 13 (UPI) -- National Guard troops stationed at the U.S. Capitol stayed there overnight Tuesday -- many of whom slept on the marble floors throughout the building, with automatic weapons at their sides.

Their presence is part of a security buildup ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week amid threats of new violence in the wake of last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol.

New barricades were installed overnight in areas around the Capitol building and people approaching the area were questioned and closely guarded by various law enforcement personnel.

Members of the House of Representatives were back at work on Wednesday, debating a second impeachment of President Donald Trump for inciting the riots in which five people were killed.

More than 20,000 troops will be on hand to protect the inauguration.

Contee said the National Guard will have more than 20,000 troops available to the city to protect the inauguration, expanding the number by 5,000. Their presence is a response to an FBI warning that radical Trump supporters may be plotting more violence in the coming days at the U.S. Capitol, as well as statehouses in all 50 states.

They're warning people to stay away from the DC area next week.

Leaders in Washington and neighboring Virginia and Maryland have asked visitors not to travel to the D.C. area, due to the heightened security and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Well, I have no plans to go to DC anytime soon. I probably won't even be going to my own state's capital either.

Property rental company Airbnb also said Wednesday it is blocking and canceling all bookings in the Washington area for the week of the inauguration.

 

[Wandering Monk]

Why have they not been given bed rolls or cots, for God's sake!

 

[Stevicus]

Why have they not been given bed rolls or cots, for God's sake!

I was wondering about that myself. It must be cold, too.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I haven't gone out of the area outside holidays near ten years and I'm 45 mins from DC. I used to go there a lot but won't until the Covid panic is over if I have a reason to do so at all.

 

[Sunstone]

The Defense Department authorized them to be armed only as recently as Tuesday. It's not clear yet whether that means all of them will be, or only some.

The response of the Federal Government has been unusually slow. Yesterday, the Acting Attorney General made his first public appearance since 1/6. It seems to have been the first time the public heard directly from the current head of the F.B.I., too. Seven days from 1/6.

These 'delays' most likely reflect the difficulty any government would have in responding to an insurrection in which who within the government is loyal to who is not clearly sorted out yet.

 

[sun rise]

I have friends in DC. They're smart enough to avoid being anywhere near downtown.

 

[Sunstone]

I'm somewhat more optimistic each day there will soon be enough force available to defend Washington. I'm less optimistic about the state capitols. It seems at this point, January 17th is the kick-off date favored by the insurrectionists.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Why have they not been given bed rolls or cots, for God's sake!

The army can sleep anyplace anywhere. Ohhrahhh!!!

Woof woof woof!

 

[Regiomontanus]

I have friends in DC. They're smart enough to avoid being anywhere near downtown.

I am thinking of going to the inauguration. I have never been to one before and I am not a huge fan of Biden. But I will be traveling to Baltimore next week so I will be very close anyway. The reason I may go to DC is because I do not think we should let the domestic terrorists win = scare us away.