The "Justice for J6" rally planned for Saturday, Sept. 18 at Union Square, which encompasses the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C. has authorities and residents of Washington on edge after the riot last January.
Several hundred people are expected to attend this Saturday's rally in support of those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. That number is smaller than the number who came that day to protest the 2020 presidential election outcome but the tension is still high.
CBS’ "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan told WCCO on Friday that there is clearly an increased awareness across the U.S. Capitol ahead of Saturday’s rally.
“Residents are being warned and some employers in the area are saying be careful today and Monday,” Brennan told WCCO. “We don't know if these rallies that are planned, and protests, are legally allowed. On the weekend [they] might blow up into something more. Of course, the fear is that you could see something like you saw on January 6th where it becomes violent, where there is an intent and not just a protest, but rather a planned series of violent actions like happened on January 6th. It's not at all clear if any of that will happen, but people are on edge and so that's being watched.”
The Department of Homeland Security has informed law enforcement that they are aware of a "small number of recent online threats of violence" connected to the "Justice for J6" rally, including "online discussions encouraging violence the day before the rally," according to CBS News.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump on Thursday condemned the criminal prosecution of hundreds of his supporters who were part of the mob that invaded the Capitol back on January 6th, in essence, siding with those who are being prosecuted for that riot. Trump was eventually impeached by the House for “inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.”
In his statement, the former president said, “Our hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest concerning the Rigged Presidential Election. In addition to everything else, it has proven conclusively that we are a two-tiered system of justice. In the end, however, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!”
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At least one legislator, Bill Pascrell (D-New Jersey) has again called for the arrest and prosecution of Trump for the January 6th riot after the former president's comments Thursday.
Brennan said the purpose of the rally is clearly drawing in some extremists.
“The rally that is being planned is to protest in support of those who stormed the Capitol back on January 6th and that is the intent,” said Brennan. “So as you can imagine, there are a number of extremist groups who have also said they want to come and support. The Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others.”
Brennan said lawmakers were concerned about a repeat of January 6th and put in the work to have preventative measures.
“This is why you see Congress, in their planning to sort of learn the lessons from what happened in January, meeting with Capitol Police and talking about putting back up fences, for example,” Brennan said. “Things to defend the actual Capitol.”
Brennan also notes that one of the major differences between this weekend and last January is that lawmakers won't actually be in session. She also notes that despite their absence, there is an attempt “to try to contain whatever spillover there could be.”
Temporary fencing has been installed around the Capitol Building as a precautionary measure. The U.S. Capitol Police requested the National Guard to be on standby. There are a number of law enforcement groups activated ahead of this weekend.
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