Lawmakers briefed on multiple potential threats to Congress between now and inauguration

They were urged to take personal security measures, including bulletproof vests.

January 12, 2021, 5:52 PM

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been briefed about multiple potential threats to Congress between now and the inauguration and urged to take measures for their personal security, which could include bulletproof vests.

House Democrats, who were moving forward on impeachment efforts, were briefed Monday night on the reports by Capitol Police leadership, according to sources on the members-only call.

Republicans are scheduled to hold a similar call with Capitol Police and law enforcement later this week, according to lawmakers and aides.

PHOTO: Members of the National Guard walk on the grounds of the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, Jan. 12, 2021.
Members of the National Guard walk on the grounds of the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, Jan. 12, 2021. At least ten thousand troops of the National Guard will be deployed in Washington by the end of the week, with the possibility of five thousand more, to help secure the Capitol area ahead of more potentially violent unrest.
Michael Reynolds/EPA via Shutterstock

One alleged plot involved rioters potentially seeking to surround the Supreme Court and the Capitol with weapons, to prevent Democrats from entering Congress and allowing Republicans to control both chambers, the sources said.

It's not clear how well developed the specific plots are, but Capitol officials are taking everything seriously after last week's riot, sources said.

The Capitol Police plan to harden the perimeter around Congress and congressional offices even more, working with National Guard troops and the Secret Service, ahead of the inauguration.

One source familiar with the call described the planned precautions as creating a "bubble inside a bubble," citing notes taken during the phone briefing.

Members were encouraged not to share specific dates with the media and were asked not to publicly disclose the names of the groups that are behind some of the threats, to avoid giving them publicity.

PHOTO: U.S. Capitol Police install a metal detector at the doors of the House Chamber Jan. 12, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Capitol Police install a metal detector at the doors of the House Chamber Jan. 12, 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Huffington Post first reported details of the call.

There was also discussion of how members can protect themselves using funds set aside for their offices, including potentially hiring personal security.

The group also discussed putting members of Congress and their guests through metal detectors for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week, amid some concerns from Democrats about GOP colleagues whom they believe may have helped incite the riot or communicated with organizers ahead of last Wednesday, one source said.

Late Tuesday, Capitol Police installed metal detectors around the House chamber, in an effort to police what lawmakers bring onto the House floor.