Secret Service Erects Barricades Around White House and Kamala Harris' Residence
Following months of criticism regarding its perceived shortcomings in safeguarding one presidential candidate, the Secret Service is now making the protection of the other candidate a top priority.
On Sunday, new fencing was erected around the White House, U.S. Capitol, and Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence, as reported by The Washington Post.
The barriers, which are eight feet high and made of metal, also cover portions of Lafayette Square near the White House. Nearby streets around Howard University—where Harris has planned an election night event—will also be closed off.
In addition, temporary bicycle-rack barriers with “Police Line: Do not cross” signs have been set up around the Capitol.
The convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where former President Donald Trump plans to hold his post-election gathering, is also a focal point for security, according to the agency, which has faced scrutiny over its efforts to protect Trump during his campaign.
“The Secret Service is working closely with federal, state, and local partners in Washington, DC, and Palm Beach County, Florida to ensure heightened levels of Election Day safety and security,” the agency stated.
“These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide-ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election,” the statement continued.
Additional fencing has been installed around some private buildings, while all Washington police officers have been called into duty.
“There is concern around the city,” said Eric J. Jones, vice president of government affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington.
“It’s honestly just fear,” he added.
“I’m getting constant emails and text messages because people are really engaged. … People would rather be overprepared and have nothing happen, as opposed to the alternative,” he said.
With millions casting mail-in ballots this year, the likelihood that counting will continue beyond Tuesday is high.
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, for instance, only allow the counting of mail-in ballots to begin on Election Day, which could delay final counts until Wednesday, according to USA Today.
“We could enter a period where we have pervasive misinformation and disinformation about the outcome of the election,” warned D.C. Assistant City Administrator Chris Rodrigez last month, according to the Mirror.
Lawrence Norden, vice president of the Elections & Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, pointed out that uncertainty combined with high emotions could be a volatile mix, as USA Today reported.
“That is the period of time where there’s an information void, and emotions are running extremely high,” Norden said. “That’s when you get the crowd showing up, threats against election workers, election officials, who are doing their jobs.”