D.C. ramps up security ahead of Biden inauguration, FBI warns of possible armed protesters

Washington, D.C., is taking new measures to ramp up security for next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

It comes as the nation is still reeling from last week’s attack at the U.S. Capitol.

The fence that now surrounds the Capitol has been extended farther back than it was just a few days ago.

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Ramped up security ahead of Inauguration Day is nothing new in Washington, but security has been taken to a whole new level for 2021.

A non-scalable fence lines the perimeter of the Capitol, and thousands of National Guard troops are on hand.

“We now have more U.S. troops in Washington than we do in Afghanistan,” said Rep. Seth Moulton. “I expected assaults on democracy as a United States Marine in Iraq. I never imagined it happening like this here in Washington, D.C.”

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Members of both parties are condemning the violence that left five people dead, and dozens have been arrested so far.

“I was also mad, mad as hell at what was happening,” said Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter. “Those people had no right to be doing that. It was nothing short of anarchy.”

An internal FBI bulletin has warned about armed protesters planning to surround the Capitol and possibly state capitols around the country.

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District Mayor Muriel Bowser is urging people not to come to Capitol Hill for the inauguration and wants to put public gatherings on hold.

“We know that is the right choice and the best way to keep everyone safe,” Bowser said.

The National Park Service tells me a decision has not been made yet about whether the National Mall will be open to the public. It is usually not closed off for Inauguration Day.

Cox Media Group