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Washington D.C. is reportedly undergoing significant fortification as the United States capital braces itself for the potential threat of civil unrest in the wake of the 2024 Presidential election.
Knewz.com has learned that the road to the upcoming elections has been marked with assassination attempts and increasingly hostile rhetoric between both major campaigns, putting Washington on high alert.
It has been reported that anti-climb riot fences have been erected around the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Signs of caution proliferated this weekend, as the Secret Service erected new, eight-foot-high metal fences around the White House and Treasury Department complex, and adjacent parts of Lafayette Square, as well as outside the Naval Observatory grounds and Harris’s residence," reports mentioned.
Reports added Harris's residence "already has a wrought-iron fence and a security station at the front gate, but crews added the special fence along most of the property’s perimeter lining Massachusetts Avenue Northwest."
On the other hand, the U.S. Capitol has installed "temporary bicycle-rack barriers" with signs that read "Police Line: Do Not Cross" around its perimeter, according to reports.
Furthermore, the U.S. Secret Service has also put into place "physical security measures" around the perimeter of the convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where former President Donald Trump – already the target of three reported assassination attempts – is reportedly set to hold his election-night party.
Notably, the West Palm convention center is located near Trump's Mar-A-Lago residence.
"The Secret Service is working closely with federal, state and local partners in Washington, DC and Palm Beach County, Florida to ensure heightened levels of Election Day safety and security," the U.S. Secret Service said in a statement on November 3, two days before the elections.
"These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election," the statement further read.
It is worth noting that the U.S. Capitol became the site of a violent riot on January 6, 2021, aimed to overturn the results of the 2020 elections and reinstate Trump as the President instead of recognizing President Joe Biden's victory—a civil unrest allegedly incited by Trump himself.
In a yet-to-be-released biography, Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell recounted that he was holed up in a secure location along with other Congressional leaders inside the Capitol on the day of the riots.
It was reported that he kept trying to contact then-Vice President Mike Pence and military officials for reinforcements as supporters of Trump attacked the Capitol building.
When the Senate resumed deliberations regarding the certification of President Biden's victory, McConnell said in a speech that “this failed attempt to obstruct the Congress, this failed insurrection, only underscores how crucial the task before us is for our republic.”
A month after the attack, McConnell held Trump “ practically and morally responsible ” for the Capitol riots and the death and destruction the incident unleashed.
As Election Day approaches, Washington prepares for the worst, with the memories of the January 6 riots still fresh.
It has been reported that private businesses and property owners are also bracing for the possibility of a violent riot, by "surging private security, shoring up street-level windows and entrances, and finalizing contingency plans in anticipation of possible looting or rioting."
"Owners of commercial buildings near the White House boarded up or added fencing outside street-level businesses and shops, with business association leaders saying they would rather overprepare than sustain damage in the event of street violence, although District officials have said there is no need to cover windows," reports have mentioned.
Eric J. Jones, the vice president of government affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, said in a statement:
"There is concern around the city. We’re not expecting full-fledged pandemonium like we saw after Jan. 6, [2021,] or four years ago... Honestly, it’s just fear... I’m getting constant emails and text messages because people are really engaged. … People would rather be overprepared and have nothing happen, as opposed to the alternative."
It is worth noting that it is not just Washington that is preparing for significant civil unrest, as Arizona is reportedly witnessing a "dystopian" development with police snipers, drones, and mounted patrols set to be deployed on Election Day.
It has been reported that election workers in Arizona have undergone active shooter drills and have learned how to barricade themselves and repel armed mobs using fire hoses.
Furthermore, trauma kits containing "tourniquets and bandages designed to pack chest wounds and stanch serious bleeding" have been supplied to the state.
In Maricopa County, Arizona, the venue where election workers will tabulate ballots has been fortified with new fencing and concrete barriers, along with newly installed metal detectors, as armed personnel stand guard.
"The central clearinghouse for all ballots, called the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center, is now protected by a 7-foot-high wrought iron fence, concrete barriers and armed officers at every door. Inside, cameras are aimed at ballot holding areas secured by metal fencing," reports have mentioned.
In Pinal County, Arizona, the new "$32 million voting center features bullet-resistant glass, bollards to thwart vehicles, gates around the periphery, and security cameras monitoring the entire building," per reports.
It has been further reported that election officials in Arizona have received repeated death threats for not supporting Trump's claims regarding the 2020 elections. According to reports, campaign officials are worried Trump supporters might storm the election venues to ensure the former President wins the elections this year.