With Election Day underway, security preparations in Washington, D.C., have intensified, as eight-foot-tall, anti-scaling fences have been installed around government buildings, including the U.S. Capitol and the Treasury Department, in anticipation of potential unrest.
Bicycle racks, marked with “Police Line: Do Not Cross,” now encircle the Capitol, and businesses throughout the city, from Peet’s Coffee to McDonald’s, have boarded up windows to guard against possible looting or street violence.
Enhanced security is also in place at Howard University, where Vice President Kamala Harris plans to host her election night watch party. The area will be fenced off, and surrounding streets are set to close Monday night.
In Florida, fencing and road closures are being implemented around the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where former President Donald Trump is holding his election event.
The precautions follow heightened awareness of potential threats, especially after the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. During that incident, a joint session of Congress was violently interrupted, with over 140 police officers assaulted, government property damaged or stolen, and estimated losses exceeding $2.8 million.
Since then, approximately 1,532 individuals have faced federal charges in connection with the siege. The fortified measures now reflect a proactive approach to safeguarding key locations ahead of the 2024 election.