Law Enforcement Putting Fencing Back Up Around Capitol Building Ahead of Biden’s Speech

The fence installed around the U.S. Capitol in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, breach is being reinstalled about seven months after being taken down, officials announced on Feb. 27.

As trucker convoys make their way toward Washington, the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), in consultation with various partners, has solidified a security plan “to prevent any disruption to the important work of Congress” and in light of President Joe Biden’s scheduled March 1 State of the Union address, USCP Chief Tom Manger said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, and in conjunction with the United States Secret Service, a plan has been approved to put up the inner-perimeter fence around the Capitol building for the State of the Union Address. I have also requested support from outside law enforcement agencies as well as the National Guard to assist with our security precautions,” Manger said in a statement.

Another prong of the plan is closing multiple roads on March 1, but USCP officials said the same roads were closed in the past and are “not related to the potential truck and vehicle convoys.”

Security fencing erected ahead of President Joe Biden’s speech around the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 28, 2022. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Trucks parked in Elk City, Okla., on Feb. 26, 2022. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

Truckers part of The People’s Convoy drive past an overpass with supporters, in Oklahoma on Feb. 27, 2022. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

A major convoy is moving east after launching from California on Feb. 23. The group arrived in Big Cabin, Oklahoma, on Sunday and is on track to reach the D.C. area on March 5.

Organizers created the group to protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other actions from Biden’s administration.

USCP’s last statement on Feb. 18 said it and other agencies were aware that a series of convoys would be arriving in Washington around the time of Biden’s speech. Officials said they would “facilitate lawful First Amendment activity” and had not yet decided on whether to reinstall the fencing.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said she understands security concerns related to the convoys that led to the reinstallation.

“However, I will ensure that the fencing comes down as soon as possible to restore freedom of movement for District of Columbia residents and the general public,” Norton, who introduced a bill in 2021 that would bar permanent fencing at the Capitol complex, said in a statement.

The fencing was taken down in July, though it was put back up for a short period of time ahead of a rally in September for people still being held on charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. About 400 people attended the rally, and the fencing was taken down again after the event.

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