As US elections approach, Washington begins to get on board

“APPEARABLE” SHOW OF POWER

Speaking at a city council briefing, Rodriguez warned of disinformation, especially on social media, that could affect the security of the capital in the coming days and weeks.

He said international events such as Israel’s war in Gaza add “a layer of complexity that can lead to political violence.”

The FBI said it had set up a command center to monitor threats, while the secret service tasked with protecting presidents, their families and senior officials said it would “enhance our security posture if necessary.”

The Capitol Police, many of whose members were injured during the Jan. 6 attack, did not comment to AFP about security preparations, but Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told a news conference they were “prepared.”

Washington police Chief Pamela Smith said at a briefing that no “credible threat” to target Washington during the election season has yet been identified.

He said police would support peaceful protests but “we will not tolerate violence of any kind.”

“We will not tolerate any riots, destruction of property, or any unlawful behavior,” he said.

He promised a “visible” show of force in the city in the coming days and weeks; this would result in approximately 4,000 reinforcements for Inauguration Day on January 20.

On Friday, tourists flocked to a spot on the Ellipse (the park in front of the White House where Trump told his supporters to “fight like hell” on Jan. 6) from where the White House is visible.

“Look at the guns,” one muttered as armed Secret Service agents stood silently in front of the barricades.