US Capitol Police request Pentagon assistance ahead of far-right rally
US Capitol Police have asked the Pentagon to provide military personnel ahead of an upcoming far-right rally by followers of former president Donald Trump.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Capitol Police said it “asked the Department of Defense for the ability to receive National Guard support should the need arise.”
Far-right extremist groups such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys are slated to attend a rally on Saturday.
The demonstrators intend to call for “justice” for those who are facing charges for storming the Capitol on January 6, when lawmakers were in the process of confirming Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election.
The attack resulted in the death of at least five people, including a police officer who was guarding the Congress building.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby also confirmed Wednesday they “have received a request from Capitol Police for some assistance for this weekend's protests, scheduled protests.”
Kirby would not give details but said "it is not an exorbitant ask. I think it's more in the form of some manpower support."
As the far-right rally draws closer, workers began on Wednesday installing a fence around the Capitol.
Following the Jan. 6 riot, police installed protective fencing around the complex that houses the US Senate and House of Representatives. The fencing, however, was taken down, after at least over 40 Republican lawmakers asked for its removal.
The failure to secure the Capitol from the attack of pro-Trump rioters led the Capitol Police internal watchdog to call for widespread changes to the department.
The police said in a press release Monday that they are “aware of concerning online chatter” surrounding the Saturday rally.
An internal Capitol Police memo said earlier that there's been a noticeable uptick in violent rhetoric around the event on social media.
There have also been multiple instances of white supremacy imagery being used in online chats about the rally, the memo notes.
US law enforcement authorities have formerly warned that domestic violent extremist groups, particularly those who advocate for the superiority of the white race, pose the greatest threat to the nation.
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