A metal security fence surrounds the United States Capitol in advance of President Biden’s State of the Union speech. The added security is in anticipation of a pro-Palestinian, pro “climate justice” protest to take place on the day of the speech.
Republicans criticize fence set up around Capitol amid lack of border security #NewsBreak https://t.co/PVtfZzgGm8
— Mary Morrison (@MaryMor08180163) March 7, 2024
The two groups involved in the protest are People Demand and the Climate Justice Alliance. A representative from the Capitol Police would not name the groups in an interview with the Washington Examiner, stating that they do not give publicity to groups “by publicizing names/causes.”
Some wonder if the police would have felt more comfortable naming names if the anticipated protesters were pro-Trump groups.
On several prior occasions the Capitol has been similarly fortified. The first time was in the months following the protests on January 6, 2021. It has been in place for President Biden’s previous State of The Union speeches and for the “Justice for J6” rally held in September 2021.
The irony and hypocrisy is that one of Biden’s first acts after taking office was to cease construction of Trump’s border wall. This not only damaged national security, but also that of the citizens living near the border whose private land effectively became territory of Mexican drug cartels.
Republicans in Congress took note. Speaking on X, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) said: “Remember this when @POTUS talks about the border tonight. Biden doesn’t hesitate to put a barrier up for his speech in Washington but refuses to build a wall and secure the southern border.”
Also speaking on X, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said: “I wish Joe Biden would do this at the southern border.”
Fox News Commentator Jesse Watters had a most interesting take on the fence: “[Biden] needs protection from you.” He added that the fence’s true purpose is to characterize half the nation as being dangerous.
Last December about 60 leftist Hamas supporters were arrested when they took over the Capitol rotunda. This event was not publicized in the manner of the Jan. 6, 2021 protests.
The rally coinciding with Biden’s 2024 State of the Union speech will conflate the Gaza conflict with “climate change.”
