The United States Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday morning that all of the fencing installed around the perimeter of the Capitol complex after the deadly January 6 siege has been taken down.
“All of the fencing that surrounded the outer perimeter of the U.S. Capitol Complex has been removed. Affected roads have reopened. The USCP is ready to quickly ramp up security at a moment’s notice, if needed,” the statement said.
“The inner perimeter fence, around the Capitol Building, is still in place, while the Department works with our congressional stakeholders and law enforcement partners to strengthen our security posture,” it added.
The Department started its efforts to remove the fencing last weekend.
All of the fencing that surrounded the outer perimeter of the U.S. Capitol Complex has been removed. Affected roads have reopened. The USCP is ready to quickly ramp up security at a moment’s notice, if needed.
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) March 24, 2021
Acting House Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett said in a memo to members of Congress last week that “there does not exist a known, credible threat against Congress or the Capitol Complex that warrants the temporary security fencing.”
The fencing was set up in the wake of the January 6 insurrection staged by a group of former President Donald Trump’s supporters at the Capitol that resulted in the death of five people, including a Capitol Police officer. Over 100 officers were also injured. The breach took place during the certification of President Joe Biden‘s election win.
In late January, Acting US Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman called for permanent fencing around the complex due to security concerns following the January 6 siege.
DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced a bill in February to stop the fencing from becoming permanent.
Residents of Capitol Hill have campaigned for the removal of fences around the Capitol through a Change.org petition, which collected over 30,000 signatures, as well as street protests held in recent weeks.
Capitol Hill Residents Campaign for Removal of Fences Around Capitol Complex
Delegate Norton Introduces Bill to Prevent Capitol’s Permanent Fencing