The White House is entering a lockdown state for election night. In preparation for election night, the Trump administration has constructed a “non-scalable” fence outside of the White House. Also, the President has put 250 National Guard officers on standby for the night of November 3.
President Donald Trump is expected to spend Tuesday evening in the White House. He was originally scheduled to hold a party at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. However, COVID-19 precautions put into place by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser have banned indoor gatherings of more than 200 people. Instead, Trump will host his indoor event of more 350 people inside the White House.
Preparations taken at the White House mirror those of many U.S. cities. Regardless of when the election result is revealed, law enforcement expect riots to break out.
The White House on lockdown: A federal law enforcement source tells NBC that beginning tomorrow, crews will build a “non-scalable” fence to secure the WH complex, Ellipse and Lafayette Square.
250 National Guardsmen have been put on standby, reporting to Metro Police officials.
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) November 2, 2020
“It is widely believed that there will be civil unrest after the November election regardless of who wins,” Washington, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said.
“It is also believed that there is a strong chance of unrest when Washington, D.C., hosts the inauguration in January.”
Results in the first wave of U.S. states will start filter in at approximately 7 p.m. However, many experts warn against announcing a winner on Tuesday due to the high number of mail-in ballots.
