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Capitol police, alarmed by threats of another attack on the Capitol, are asking the Department of Defense to leave about 5,000 National Guard troops stationed at the Capitol for another 60 days to maintain security until mid-May. Defense officials told VOA that their request is being considered. National Guard troops were originally scheduled to leave the Capitol area on March 12th.
The request to keep the troops at the Capitol came as authorities said they were taking intelligence agency information seriously about a possible plot by an extreme right-wing armed group to attack the Capitol on Thursday although there were no incidents.
INCREASE SECURITY MEASURES
A statement issued Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said that in February an unidentified group of “violent extremists” discussed plans to take control of the Capitol and oust Democratic lawmakers by date. March 4, or about that date.
March 4 is the day when proponents of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe that former President Donald Trump, who was defeated by President Joe Biden in the November 3 election, would be sworn in for a second term in office. Until 1933, the date of inauguration of presidents was March 4. As of Thursday, there were no signs of protesters along the steel fence surrounding the Capitol since the Jan. 6 riots by supporters of former President Trump.
Inside the fence, dozens of National Guard gunmen could be seen. Freedom Plaza Square, a rally point for previous protests by right-wing elements, in front of the Washington mayor’s office, was empty. Traffic in the city center was also low and few passers-by were seen. Capitol police have asked the Pentagon to extend the National Guard mission to protect the Capitol for another two months, a defense official told Reuters on Thursday. There are currently 5,200 National Guard troops around the Capitol and their mission was scheduled to end on March 12th.
DISCOVERY WARNINGS
The Capitol Police Department said it was taking intelligence warnings seriously about a possible attack on the Capitol. “We have already made numerous improvements to security measures, including setting up a physical barrier and increasing the contingent that protects Congress, the public and police officers,” the department said in a statement. “Our department is working with local, state and federal partners to stop threats to the Capitol.”
The congressional hearing about that were exactly where the National Guard came from. in the presidential election. This week the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned local law enforcement that an extremist group had called for a rally in Washington in an attempt to take control of Congress.
These threats prompted the House of Representatives to cancel Thursday’s sessions, while the Senate made no changes to the agenda. Lawmakers held a number of hearings where they heard evidence from officials about the January 6 events. The Department of Justice has charged more than 300 people with taking part in a violent attack on the Capitol that killed five people, including a congressional defense police officer./VOA
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