WASHINGTON 鈥� The Capitol Police have requested that members of the National Guard continue to provide security at the U.S. Capitol for another two months, The Associated Press has learned.
The request to keep as many as 2,200 Guard troops in D.C. underscores the continuing concerns about security and the potential for violence at the Capitol, two months after rioters breached the building in violence that left five people dead. And it came as law enforcement was on high alert Thursday around the Capitol after intelligence uncovered a 鈥減ossible plot鈥� by a militia group to storm the building.
The potential plot was tied to the far-right conspiracy theory promoted by QAnon supporters that former President Donald Trump would rise again to power on March 4, the original presidential inauguration day. There were no signs of disturbance Thursday, but the Capitol Police's request for extended Guard assistance appeared mired in confusion within various congressional oversight authorities, according to letters obtained by The AP.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said she learned that the request for a 60-day extension was made in the last 36 hours, and that the Guard is now seeking volunteers from states around the country to fill the need.
According to a memo from the Capitol Police to congressional leaders, the new draft proposal asks to keep up to 2,200 Guard members in D.C. initially, and reduce the number 鈥渋ncrementally and rationally鈥� based on the threat.
As part of the plan, Capitol Police shall employ readily available technology and utilize mutual aid agreements to reduce the Guard footprint to a battalion size of approximately 900 soldiers as recommended by the Department of
The request got a sharp rebuke from Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla.
鈥淚t鈥檚 outrageous,鈥� he said. 鈥漈hat鈥檚 not what they鈥檙e supposed to be, that鈥檚 not their mission. We have the Capitol Police, that is their mission."
The more than 5,000 Guard members currently in Washington, D.C., are all slated to go home March 12, ending the mission.
Slotkin said some members of Congress have been concerned about whether there is a solid plan to provide security for members and staff going forward.
鈥淲e want to understand what the plan is,鈥� she said. 鈥淣one of us like looking at the fencing, the gates, the uniformed presence around the Capitol. We can鈥檛 depend on the National Guard for our security.鈥�
She said there has to be a plan that provides the needed security for the buildings and personnel by the Capitol Police and local law enforcement. Slotkin said it was telling that House members hastened to complete major votes Wednesday so they wouldn't have to be in the building that violent rioters besieged in January. Lawmakers, she said, 鈥渄on't feel totally secure鈥� in the Capitol.
Capitol Police officials have also told congressional leaders the razor-wire-topped fencing around the Capitol should remain in place for several more months.
Slotkin said, however, that she was going to her office to work Thursday. 鈥淚'm not going to let these guys scare me away,鈥� she said.
Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
