Protests: Strengthened security in nationwide capitals as Joe Biden prepares for inauguration

After a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago, the FBI warned of possible armed protests on Capitol Hill and all 50 state capitals in the days leading up to and including the inauguration.

The warning led to a massive security presence in Washington. About 25,000 National Guard members are present and much of the area around the National Mall and the Capitol is inaccessible to the public. Commercial flights to Washington’s Reagan National Airport were suspended from 10:30 a.m. (ET) Wednesday until Biden was sworn in, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Small rallies of protesters, some of whom were armed, stood outside the capitals of Michigan, Ohio, Texas and several other states on Sunday, but many other state capitals that had braced for the worst n ‘only met a handful of people. All the demonstrations were peaceful.

Security efforts have even extended to screening members of the National Guard arriving in Washington for the “insider threat” inauguration.

The protests are generally calm so far

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned last week that the FBI had witnessed “extensive” gossip surrounding the inauguration.

“In collaboration with our partners, we are assessing these threats and the type of resources to be deployed against them. Currently, we are following calls for potential armed protests, ”he said.

Since then there have been a few armed protesters in state capitals, but those that have occurred are relatively small and with different political views.

Heavy security and ongoing arrests of people who participated in the assault on the U.S. Capitol may play a role in deterring protests.

Anti-government groups who have vowed to run in the days leading up to the inauguration appear to have been partly frightened by their own plots that the government was behind some of the nationwide protests that have so far failed.

Law enforcement officials say there is an extensive surveillance network focused on members of groups that participated in the attack on Capitol Hill. One of the main emerging themes is that anti-government conspiracies pushing groups like the Oath Keepers and other activists have become a driving force to avoid protests, fearing they may be taken into custody.

Some of the people most likely to attend these types of events are also trying to reduce their profile after participating in the insurgency, law enforcement officials have said.

Some saw their faces on FBI posters that circulated last week. In some cases, members of the groups have surrendered, hoping to gain a little by not waiting for the FBI to come and find them.