In September, the federal government designated the Electoral College certification as a National Special Security Event, leading to an escalation in security measures at the Capitol. Despite the absence of significant protests on Monday, stringent security protocols were put in place, set to be upheld as law enforcement agencies brace for upcoming events such as funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter and the inauguration of Trump on Jan. 20.
Early on Saturday morning, approximately 36 hours before a snowstorm blanketed Washington, workers at the Capitol were seen erecting additional layers of fortified fencing around the Capitol premises, including the west front area which had been overrun by Trump supporters during the Capitol siege four years ago.
In a notable shift in tone, Trump, along with several of his Republican counterparts, altered their rhetoric following the events of Jan. 6. What was initially labeled as a “heinous attack” in 2021 was later characterized by Trump as a “day of love” the following year. This revisionist narrative surrounding the events of Jan. 6 has been perpetuated by a multitude of conspiracy theories espoused by Trump allies in Congress.
During an appearance on “Meet the Press” last month, the president-elect expressed his concerns over the treatment of Jan. 6 defendants within the legal system, referring to it as “a very nasty system” and vowing to take prompt action regarding potential pardons for these individuals. Trump hinted at the possibility of exceptions to his Jan. 6 pardons, particularly for those deemed radical or erratic, although he did not discount the notion of pardoning individuals who had confessed to assaulting police officers. While the Trump transition team emphasized a case-by-case assessment for pardons, Trump insisted that the majority of Jan. 6 defendants did not warrant incarceration.
As preparations intensified, police vehicles were deployed to block sections of Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol, coinciding with the installation of barricades along the National Mall on a Sunday.
According to the U.S. attorney’s office, only eight pretrial defendants remain incarcerated in Washington, with the remainder of the convicted Jan. 6 defendants serving their respective sentences following legal proceedings. The potential for further misdemeanor charges against lower-tier Jan. 6 defendants appeared slim under a Trump administration, leaving uncertainty surrounding the management of pending cases involving individuals accused of assaulting law enforcement personnel.
Online groups dubbed “sedition hunters,” who have collaborated with the FBI on numerous Jan. 6 investigations, reported identifying over 200 suspects linked to assaults on law enforcement officers or members of the press, yet to face arrest. Amongst this group are more than 60 individuals featured on the FBI’s wanted list for assault-related offenses.
During an event attended by newly elected Democratic lawmakers, Biden urged legislators to uphold truthfulness regarding the Capitol attack, emphasizing the severity of the incident which resulted in injuries to over 140 police officers and the subsequent loss of law enforcement personnel.
“It is now your responsibility to uphold the truth, to commemorate the events of Jan.
