What we know about possible protests ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration

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A week after a pro-Trump gang looted the Capitol, federal officials reiterated a warning in a call to law enforcement leaders across the country, saying they remain concerned about the prospect of extremists showing up at scheduled rallies and committing violence.
Security is also on the rise in battlefield states critical to President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential victory, with governors activating the National Guard, closing capitals, erecting fences and barriers and, in at least two cases, shutting windows.

It all adds up to an inauguration like no other, with no crowds in DC and maximum security across the country.

Hundreds of National Guard troops are at the Capitol Visitor's Center this week to bolster security in the Capitol.
A week after the pro-Trump crowd stormed the Capitol, the area around Capitol Hill is under strict security. Members of the National Guard were everywhere, including the Capitol, and new fencing blocked the perimeter of the area.

DC Police Chief Robert Contee said on Wednesday that more than 20,000 National Guard members could be expected in the district for Biden’s inauguration, although he noted that the final figures will be provided by the U.S. Secret Service.

The FBI warns that extremists are being encouraged to carry out further attacks after the Capitol uprising

The officials added that there is no concern that there will be a shortage of sentry troops to meet the requirements of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Contee told reporters he remains concerned amid a “major security threat” ahead of the inauguration and scheduled demonstrations in the district this weekend.

“I’ve been worried for today and will get through this weekend and beyond,” Contee said Wednesday.

He also praised Mayor Muriel Bowser’s security position, including discouraging people from coming to DC for the inauguration.

“There is a major security threat, and we are working to mitigate those threats,” he added.

Bowser said on Wednesday that she was trying to persuade U.S. Department of the Interior, David Bernhardt, to cancel public meeting permits and deny future applications for the period up to the inauguration.

How states prepare

Georgia State Troopers will stand guard in front of the Georgia State Capitol building on the first day of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta, Monday, January 11, 2021.

States across the country are stepping up security and calling on the National Guard to protect Capitol buildings ahead of the potential protests, including in Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

A number of states are implementing heavy fencing and additional crowd control measures around their Capitol Building, including in Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia and Washington, while Pennsylvania has built barriers and increased security.

While many Capitol buildings have been closed due to coronavirus restrictions, the warnings are especially fraught in states where people can openly carry firearms and in states where Trump has falsely claimed fraud.

How major states plan to secure their capital in anticipation of possible armed pro-Trump protests
In Michigan, where heavily armed protesters were held in Lansing’s state capitol in the spring, open carrying of firearms was banned inside the building. Still, the Mayor of Lansing has asked the governor to call up the National Guard to protect the Capitol, and the attorney general said the state’s new ban on open firearms is not enough there.

“The capital is not safe,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel.

In Virginia, a state of emergency has been declared in Richmond and Capitol Square will be closed pending protests at the State Capitol building. The state expects a rally on Monday before “Lobby Day,” an annual protest that brought thousands of gun rights advocates to the Capitol last year.

In Oregon, the FBI has set up a command post to gather and share information with law enforcement officials about possible threats of violence against the Capitol.

In Florida and Oklahoma, lawmakers and staff are being told to work from home this weekend due to the likelihood of protests. Utah is also closing its Capitol Building due to planned protests. In Wisconsin and Virginia, workers have boarded up windows on the first floor of their capital in anticipation of possible protests.

Several major states are also on high alert. In New York, state police took steps “to strengthen security in and around the State Capitol in Albany” ahead of Biden’s inauguration. And in California, fencing has been set up around the Capitol, where the governor says there is an “increased, heightened level of security” and that the National Guard can be deployed.

CNN’s Amanda Watts, Alison Main, Nicky Robertson, Barbara Starr and Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.

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