New security fencing has been erected around key sites in Washington, D.C., including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris, as authorities prepare for possible political unrest in the wake of Election Day.
The heightened security reflects a broader anxiety in the capital, where many fear that a victory by Donald Trump could spark unrest from disappointed supporters of Harris.
The Secret Service has put up eight-foot-tall metal barriers around the White House and Treasury Department complex, as well as adjacent areas such as Lafayette Square, the Naval Observatory, and Harris’s home in D.C., according to reports.
Meanwhile, temporary barriers labeled “Police Line: Do Not Cross” now line the perimeter of the Capitol, underscoring the city’s preparedness for potential demonstrations.
In addition, the Secret Service is implementing additional security measures outside the convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump is expected to host an Election Night event.
At the same time, Harris will spend the evening at her alma mater, Howard University, where the surrounding area will see street closures, no-parking zones, and transit detours, as announced by the D.C. Police Department.
Although officials have stated there are currently no specific threats targeting Washington, the sight of fencing and barricades serves as a stark reminder of past events, notably the tense atmosphere following the 2020 presidential election and the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
For many in Washington, the preparations signal a lingering concern about potential turmoil should Harris lose and Trump reclaim the White House.
