Politics
States Brace for Election Results with National Guard on Standby
Clear Facts
- Several states, including those previously affected by Black Lives Matter and Antifa riots, have prepared the National Guard for potential Election Day unrest.
- Washington and Oregon have taken precautionary measures, with National Guard members on standby and increased police staffing.
- In Washington, DC, security has been heightened with additional police shifts and barriers around key government buildings.
As Election Day approaches, states that experienced significant unrest during the 2020 Black Lives Matter and Antifa riots are taking no chances. Several governors have activated the National Guard as a precautionary measure to ensure peace and stability during the voting process.
Washington’s Governor Jay Inslee has placed National Guard members on standby from Monday to Thursday. This decision comes in light of potential “election-related unrest” and follows recent incidents in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, where devices with “Free Gaza” inscriptions were reportedly detonated inside ballot boxes.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that threats to election infrastructure during the 2024 election cycle remains high,” Inslee communicated to the National Guard.
In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek has also prepared the National Guard for possible deployment. She emphasized that any form of voter intimidation is “un-American and will not be tolerated.” Portland, a city that faced severe riots in 2020, has increased police staffing as a precautionary measure. Mayor Ted Wheeler stated that while there is no specific information indicating unrest, “there is a lot of uncertainty [and] tension in our community.”
Nevada’s Governor Joe Lombardo has mirrored these actions by putting 60 National Guard members on standby. He described this move as part of the state’s routine election preparations, ensuring resources are ready for any potential challenges.
“This decision, which mirrors the state’s routine preparation for past elections, was made after consultation with election officials and state leaders,” Lombardo explained.
In the nation’s capital, security measures have been significantly ramped up. More than 3,000 officers will be working extended shifts, and businesses near the White House are taking precautions by boarding up their premises. The U.S. Secret Service has erected 8-foot-high fences around the White House and Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence.
“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. They clarified that these measures are not in response to any specific threat but are part of comprehensive public safety preparations for the election.
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