The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) say that law enforcement agencies in the nation’s capital are planning “extra security” ahead of President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union (SOTU) Address scheduled for March 1, citing potential plans of truck-convoy protesters to arrive at roughly the same time.
“The USCP is closely coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Park Police, the United States Secret Service, and other allied agencies to include the D.C. National Guard.”
A joint session of Congress is required to be held when Biden delivers his SOTU address.
The USCP noted that it has been working closely together with the U.S. Secret Service “to plan for the upcoming State of the Union.”
While announcing the extra security measures, the USCP said it has yet to decide on whether to reinstall a fence around the U.S. Capitol in the lead-up to Biden’s speech.
“The temporary inner-perimeter fence is part of those ongoing discussions and remains an option, however at this time, no decision has been made,” USCP said in a Feb. 18 update to its initial statement.
The additional statement was issued “to address numerous inquiries we have received this evening,” according to USCP.
Army Maj. Aaron Thacker, a National Guard Bureau spokesman, told Breitbart News on Feb. 19 that the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD) had issued a request for assistance, and the request is awaiting approval by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
“We have a request from the D.C. Metro Police for support, and that support is contingent on approval from the secretary of defense, so we’re waiting on that. We’re waiting for approval from the secretary of defense,” Thacker said.
The MPD told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the department “is aware of potential First Amendment activities that may take place in the National Capital Region, including Washington, D.C.”
“At this time, a permit application has not been submitted to MPD,” the email reads. “As with all First Amendment demonstrations, MPD will be monitoring, assessing, and planning accordingly with our local, state, and federal partners. We have increased available resources, including the activation of our Civil Disturbance Units, in preparation for these activities.”
The District of Columbia National Guard didn’t respond to a request for comment by press time.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to The Epoch Times that it was tracking potential truck convoys in the United States.
“DHS will continue to share timely and actionable information with the public. Over the past year, DHS has increased timely and actionable intelligence and information sharing and strengthened operational coordination with partners across every level of government and the private sector.”
