Lawmakers and staff demanded to avoid Capitol Hill during pro-Trump protest

As Capitol Hill security officials prepare for Saturday’s pro-Trump rally in Washington, lawmakers and their aides have been given a simple directive: Avoid the building.

“Unless required to be on site, members and staff are strongly encouraged to avoid the US Capitol complex on September 18,” Sergeant-at-Arms William Walker wrote in a note sent to the entire chamber. Tuesday evening.

If they are to visit Capitol Hill on Saturday, House lawmakers and their workers should park in underground garages and move between buildings via underground tunnels, rather than walking outside, Walker advised.

The brutal directives are just the latest move by security officials to prevent Saturday’s protest from turning into the same type of violent melee that occurred on January 6, when a crowd of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful effort to reverse its electoral defeat. .

About 140 police officers were injured in the riot. Another officer died a day later, after engaging with the crowd. And four other officers died by suicide in the months that followed.

In the immediate wake of the deadly event, Capitol Hill’s top security officials – including the Capitol Police chief and sergeants-at-arms in both chambers – have all resigned. Eight months later, their replacements are scrambling to make sure history does not repeat itself at Saturday’s “Justice for J6” rally, which aims to protest the treatment of hundreds of people arrested in the January 6 riots. .

On Monday, Walker and Capitol Building Police Chief Thomas Manger briefed key congressional leaders on the latest intelligence on the threat posed by Saturday’s rally and their efforts to address potential violence during the event.

These measures include the reinstallation of the imposing seven-foot fence encircling the Capitol and other parts of the complex, which was installed immediately after the January 6 uprising.

Meanwhile, organizers of Saturday’s protest appear to be taking their own steps to promote a peaceful event. On Tuesday, Matt Braynard, an organizer and former Trump campaign staffer, asked attendees not to wear symbols or slogans endorsing the former President TrumpDonald TrumpNewsom touts recall victory as rejection of ‘Trumpism’ Newsom easily pushes recall efforts in California Second senior official to leave DHS in a week MORE – far from the dynamics of January 6, when protesters displayed all manner of Trump flags, hats, clothing and paraphernalia.

“We ask anyone attending our events not to wear any clothing or have signs of support for President Trump or Biden,” Braynard wrote.

“Anyone who does not honor this request will be considered an infiltrator and we will take your picture, find out who you are and make you famous.”