Washington, D.C., was locked down and U.S. law enforcement officials geared up for pro-Trump marches in all 50 state capitals this weekend, erecting barriers and deploying thousands of National Guard troops to try to prevent the kind of violent attack that rattled the nation on Jan. 6.
The FBI warned police agencies of possible armed protests outside all 50 state capitol buildings starting Saturday (January 16) through President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, fueled by supporters of President Donald Trump who believe his false claims of electoral fraud.
Michigan, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Washington were among states that activated their National Guards to strengthen security. Texas closed its Capitol through Inauguration Day.
In downtown Washington, officers arrested a Virginia man who tried to pass through a Capitol Police checkpoint on Friday carrying fake inaugural credentials, a loaded handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition, CNN reported on Saturday citing a police report and a law enforcement source.
Capitol Police officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Production: Gershon Peaks, Greg Savoy, Vanessa Johnston)