Is the Capitol safe this time?

There is great fear of riots during the US election. There are therefore high security measures in Washington and throughout the country.

When angry supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021, five people were killed and hundreds were injured. The Federal Police (FBI) called what happened back then “domestic terrorism.”

Many Americans have not forgotten these images. They are now worried that there will be more riots around the US election. According to a survey by the civil rights organization Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 73 percent of Americans fear political violence. Read more about it here.

In order to prevent escalations in this election, the USA has now increased security precautions to an unprecedented level. There are metal detectors at all political events, armed guards at polling stations, concrete barriers and police snipers. Even surveillance drones fly through the air in many places. Read more about it here.

The transition period from the election to the swearing-in day on January 20th is considered particularly critical. The security services in Washington have prepared particularly for this. The Capitol Police, which was overrun by fanatical Trump supporters on January 6, 2021, was increased by 300 to 2,100 officers.

The same high level of security is planned for January 6, 2025, when the results of the election are to be confirmed by Congress, as for the swearing-in ceremony on January 20.

• Fear of violence in the US election: The poll workers have panic buttons

It cannot be ruled out that violent militia members will appear again during and after the election. But: The right-wing extremist militias active in the USA, which were involved in the storming of the Capitol four years ago, have shown little presence recently. Hundreds of militia members, including the leaders, were brought to trial and some were sentenced to long prison terms. This reassures violence researchers a little: they believe that it had a deterrent effect.

The authorities don’t want to take any risks: According to the Washington Post, the Secret Service protects the White House, the Capitol, the Treasury Department and a US Navy research institute with metal barriers. They should be 2.5 meters high.

The Secret Service also fenced off Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence. Police also announced that streets would be closed in preparation for Harris’ election party at Howard University in Washington.

There is also special protection for Trump: According to the Washington Post, there are already security measures in place around an event location near his Mar-a-Lago residence. The former US president wants to throw his election campaign party there.

In many states, security measures have been drastically tightened, especially at polling stations, in order to protect election workers. You will be given first aid kits in case of gunshot injuries. Panic buttons, i.e. emergency buttons, are installed so that the police can be alerted in the event of danger.

Some schools and churches that have always been polling places decided against it this year. The security risks are simply too high. Other polling stations, however, are preparing: some have concrete barriers, armed security forces or even mounted patrols. Read more about it here. Public facilities are protected by the authorities.

Meanwhile, business and property owners in Washington are preparing for the worst on their own. They hire private security guards, secure windows and entrances and draw up emergency plans, as the Washington Post reports. Commercial buildings near the White House are barricaded. The goal: to prevent looting or unrest.

District officials say there is no need to cover windows, according to the newspaper report. Private individuals, on the other hand, see it differently, explains the spokesman for a building association in Washington: “There is concern throughout the city.” But: “We don’t expect limitless chaos like we saw four years ago.”