Police Remove Outer Perimeter Fencing Around U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC — More than two months after fencing around the U.S. Capitol went up following the violent insurrection on Jan. 6, U.S. Capitol Police said Wednesday that all of the outer fencing has been removed and nearby roads have reopened.

The inner perimeter fence around the Capitol building will remain in place while the police department works with congressional leaders and other police agencies in the District of Columbia to ensure security is strong enough to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 6 attack when hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.

While the fencing has been removed, the Capitol Police said Wednesday they are "ready to quickly ramp up security at a moment’s notice, if needed."

Five people died and dozens were injured when the pro-Trump rioters fought their way into the Capitol. Along with the death of one Capitol Police officer who was attacked by Trump supporters on Jan. 6, two police officers also have died by suicide in the weeks following the attack.

The removal of the outer perimeter fencing came after criticism from some lawmakers that certain proposals for long-range security were excessive.

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D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced a bill in February to ban the installation of permanent fencing on the Capitol grounds. She called the fencing "security theater." The bill would ban the installation of permanent fencing on the Capitol grounds.

Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a Capitol Police request to extend the deployment of nearly 2,300 guard members for about two more months because possible threats of violence remain.

The troops will remain in place for now. But Timothy Blodgett, acting House sergeant-at-arms, said in a March 15 memo to members of Congress that he expects the National Guard will “begin to reduce its posture at the Capitol in the coming weeks.”