Capitol Police upping security at DC airports, train stations when lawmakers travel

The United States Capitol Police is bolstering security at airports and train stations in Washington, D.C., as former President Trump’s second impeachment trial in the Senate approaches and as Congress continues to grapple with the fallout of the Jan. 6 riot.

In an email sent to members and staff and obtained by The Hill, acting House Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett said that Capitol Police officers will provide extra security on days when a lot of lawmakers are traveling.

Officers will be stationed at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Dulles International Airport and Ronald Regan Washington National Airport to monitor members as they move throughout the airports. In addition, officers will be stationed at the Union Station railway stop.

Blodgett also said that the Senate sergeant-at-arms has created a portal to coordinate travel information for members.

Members were also reminded that they can be reimbursed for security for official duties and member-hosted events. 

“Members and staff should remain vigilant of their surroundings and immediately report anything unusual or suspicious,” the email says.

The heightened security comes as officials scramble protect lawmakers after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol resulted in at least five deaths and more than 100 arrests.

A security fence was placed around the Capitol building following the riot.

Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman suggested permanent fencing Thursday saying in a statement that “vast improvements to the physical security infrastructure must be made to include permanent fencing, and the availability of ready, back-up forces in close proximity to the Capitol.”

In addition, over 5,000 National Guardsmen are expected to remain in Washington through the end of Trump’s impeachment trial, which is expected to begin the week of Feb. 8.

Some inside the Capitol are uncomfortable with the new security measures in place.

“A lot of staff are really uncomfortable with these measures and even the razor wire — it feels like they’re putting distance between us and the people we are trying to represent to the point where they’re making it sound like the average American is the enemy,” a GOP aide told The Hill. “This isn’t how it works!”