WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers are threatened with violence by an “enemy” within Congress, and more money is needed to protect them, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday, a surprising acknowledgment of escalating internal security tensions since the Capitol attack. this month by supporters. from former President Donald Trump.
The California Democrat’s comments came when the acting chief of the Capitol Police said separately that “massive improvements” are needed to protect the Capitol and adjacent office buildings, including permanent fences. Such barricades have surrounded the complex since the deadly January 6 riot, but many lawmakers have long resisted giving the nation’s symbol of democracy the look of a beleaguered compound, and leaders were noncommittal on the idea.
Pelosi’s comments focused on the fear and partisan frictions that have persisted in Congress since Trump supporters’ attack on the Capitol, which resulted in five deaths. She told reporters she thinks Congress will need to provide money “for greater security for members when the enemy is in the House of Representatives, a threat that members are concerned about.”
Asked to clarify what she meant, Pelosi said, “It means that we have members of Congress who want to ship weapons and have threatened violence against other members of Congress.”
She did not suggest how much money might be needed.
Some lawmakers who voted in favor of Trump’s impeachment by the House this month have reported receiving threats, and the first steps to improve security procedures have taken on clear partisan undertones. Some Republicans have loudly objected to the passing of newly installed metal detectors before entering the House room, while Pelosi has proposed fine lawmakers bypassing the devices.
Pelosi did not say who she meant by referring to an “enemy” in the House, and a spokesman did not provide examples when asked.
First Term Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., which has expressed support for baseless QAnon conspiracy theories, liked Facebook posts advocating violence against Democrats and the FBI. A message suggested shooting Pelosi in the head.
Asked to comment, Greene sent a written statement accusing Democrats and journalists of attacking her because she “threatens their goal of socialism” and supports Trump and conservative values.
Earlier this month, the HuffPost website reported that Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., Had set off a newly installed metal detector while trying to enter the room of the house and found that he was carrying a hidden gun. Other Republicans have also talked about carrying firearms, which lawmakers are allowed to do, but not on the floors of the House or Senate.
Since the attack, the Capitol grounds have been surrounded by barriers and patrolled by National Guard troops. Yogananda D. Pittman, acting chief of the Capitol Police, said in a statement that based on security assessments by her agency and others, some changes should be permanent.
“In light of recent events, I can say unequivocally that massive improvements need to be made to the physical security infrastructure, such as permanent fencing and the availability of ready-to-use backup power in the vicinity of the Capitol,” said Pittman , whose agency provides security for Congress.
Pelosi did not take an immediate stand on Pittman’s proposal for permanent fence. Drew Hammill, the speaker’s spokesman, said she would await a Capitol security investigation led by retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré “to understand what infrastructure changes are needed.”
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., took the same approach, telling reporters he would “reach out to the experts.”
Others turned the suggestion for permanent fencing. Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., said she was “hard-pressed” and had heard no justification for its necessity. First office holder Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., A former Marine, said it would be wrong to make the Capitol a “ fortress. ”
Pelosi met Honoré, but revealed little about what she had learned. His review is not expected to close until March 5, she said.
Pelosi said he was investigating ways to protect lawmakers “in terms of their service here, their service home, their transportation in between.” Lawmakers have already been told they can use accounts they use for office expenses for some security steps, and Pelosi mentioned the possibility of air marshals, but didn’t provide details.
Prosecutors have charged more than 200 people for their role in the riot, and others have been arrested after posting threats against members of Congress.
The public is not allowed to carry firearms on the Capitol. Members of Congress can keep weapons in their offices or transport them around campus if they are unloaded and securely packaged.
On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a national terrorism bulletin warning of the possibility of increased human violence prompted by anti-governmental sentiments following the election of President Joe Biden. The department has not mentioned any specific plots.
A senate lawsuit on whether or not to punish Trump is set to begin next month, following the impeachment of his home on charges of instigating the uprising in the Capitol.
Trump made inflammatory remarks to a crowd of supporters that day, urging them to march toward the building. Lawmakers at the time formally declared Biden’s election victory, which Trump has repeatedly and falsely attributed to fraud.