US lawmakers fear post-election political violence – Axios
Members of the US Congress from both political camps are anticipating a turbulent period after the November 5 presidential election and fear nationwide political violence regardless of who takes the White House, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing several lawmakers.
Democrats are “extremely” concerned that former US President Donald Trump will challenge the election results if he loses to Vice President Kamala Harris and are bracing for a repeat of the 2021 US Capitol riot, according to the article.
“We’re certainly in a heightened threat environment here. There’s no doubt about it... so we’re going to have to be vigilant about it and make sure we’re taking precautions,” Representative Jason Crow (D-Colorado) told the outlet.
US law enforcement authorities are boosting security in Washington DC, including setting up fencing around the Capitol ahead of the presidential certification on January 6, the article noted, citing the Secret Service. Meanwhile, the police performed a “casualty evacuation exercise” on the East Front of the Capitol, the outlet noted.
“If [Trump] wins, he and his violent supporters will be emboldened, and if he loses, I worry they will be worse than four years ago,” Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Illinois) told Axios.
Republicans are expressing similar concerns, warning that Democrats will protest Trump’s return and act out violently if he wins.
The National Guard should be “ready to go on a moment’s notice to quell any type of civil unrest,” and “they better have [the Capitol] locked down” on Inauguration Day, according to Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas).
Other lawmakers are worried about rioting during Trump’s potential inauguration and predict that the possibility of unrest “is higher if Trump wins. Like we saw on January 20, 2017,” referring to protests by various groups trying to disrupt the former president’s previous inauguration.
A majority of Americans share these concerns and are expecting post-Election Day violence, a Scripps News/Ipsos poll published last week showed. The survey found that 62% of Americans believe the prospect of post-election chaos is ‘somewhat’ or ‘very likely’.
