State legislatures and law enforcement officials are boosting security at capitol complexes around the country after the violent insurrection in Washington, D.C., last week and in the face of FBI warnings of armed protests in the coming days.
Legislators say they are increasingly anxious about the armed protests, which began last year in response to lockdowns imposed to stem the coronavirus pandemic and are mounting over false allegations about election impropriety.
“Public safety is our first job, and we cannot allow incidents to develop where public safety is threatened, and that includes our staff,” said Karen Keiser (D), president pro tempore of the Washington state Senate. “It’s really heartbreaking to see this, and yet we have to go forward with the business of government.”
