A U.S. official confirmed Thursday that the Capitol Police have requested a 60-day extension for the National Guard presence at the Capitol.The official said request is being reviewed.The request came as the Capitol was on high alert after threats of another attack tied to March 4.Jacquelyn Martin/APNational Guard walk near the Capitol, March 4, 2021, in Washington, D.C. after police said they have uncovered intelligence of a "possible plot" by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.There are currently more than 5,000 National Guard members still in the city from a peak of 25,000 present for security at the Jan. 20 inauguration.Jacquelyn Martin/APNational Guard talk with a U.S. Capitol Police officer outside the Capitol building, March 4, 2021, in Washington, D.C.The scheduled end of the current mission for the remaining troops is March 12.The need for the National Guard presence -- armed behind high fences topped with razor wire -- has become a focus of debate over how much security is needed around the Capitol going forward.MORE: Rep. Chris Smith asks Pelosi to investigate 'tainted' food allegedly harming National Guard membersMichigan Democratic Rep. Elaine Slotkin put out a statement Thursday morning raising questions.“No one likes seeing the fortress-like security around the Capitol. And no one wants to again have a security problem in and around this symbolic place. But whether an extension has been requested or the mission is indeed terminating on March 12, it’s critical that members of Congress get a briefing on what’s behind these decisions," she said."We all have the same goal: to get back to the point where Capitol Police is capable of protecting us without the Guard’s help, and all parties feel confident we can protect the people’s business," she said.ABC News' Benjamin Siegel contributed to this report.
Source : abcnews.go.com
Source : abcnews.go.com