Sep 1, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Capitol Police "closely monitoring" Sept. 18 pro-Capitol riot rally

Oriana González

Picture of rioters on Jan. 6 — Members of the Proud Boys make a hand gesture while walking near the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Jan. 6. Photo: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

The U.S. Capitol Police Department is "closely monitoring" a Sept. 18 rally planned in support of individuals arrested for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, USCP chief Tom Manger said Wednesday in a written statement shared with reporters.

Driving the news: The rally — spearheaded by former Donald Trump presidential campaign official Matt Braynard — is known as "Justice for J6" and will be held on the Capitol grounds, WUSA9 reports.

The D.C. Metropolitan Police is activating its entire force for the event and has gone so far as to postpone vacation days.

What they're saying: "After Jan. 6, we made department-wide changes to the way we gather and share intelligence internally and externally. I am confident the work we are doing now will make sure our officers have what they need to keep everyone safe," Manger said.

Of note: Lawmakers and law enforcement officers within Capitol Hill are discussing how to secure the Capitol grounds ahead of both the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and the planned rally, including possibly reinstalling temporary fencing that went up after the Jan. 6 insurrection, CNN reported.

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Capitol Police "closely monitoring" Sept. 18 pro-Capitol riot rally

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