Ron DeSantis says he rejected Biden’s request for National Guard troops to protect DC lawmakers during State of the Union address tomorrow as ring of steel goes back up at the Capitol

  • Florida's Republican governor claimed Biden asked states to send National Guardsmen last week 
  • Reinforced fencing was around the Capitol ahead of Biden's State of the Union address Tuesday night
  • The barricades were first installed after January 6, 2021 when pro-Trump protestors stormed the Capitol
  • Fencing returned amid fears that US truckers will stage protests
  • One group has a permit to protest the day of Biden's address 
  • The convoys are heading to DC to protest Covid restrictions following similar efforts by Canadian truckers
  • The main group is not expected to arrive in the capital until later this week, but smaller groups may arrive as early as tomorrow 

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Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said on Monday that he rejected a request from the Biden administration to provide Florida National Guard troops for added protection during the State of the Union on Tuesday evening. 

A ring of reinforced fencing was erected around the US Capitol ahead of President Joe Biden's address to Congress, as Washington braces for protests by trucker convoys.

DeSantis, among Biden's most prominent critics, claimed the federal government asked states the week prior to send extra support before lawmakers and other top US officials gather in the capital.

'Last week, the Biden Administration requested the assistance of State National Guards to deploy to Washington D.C. I have rejected this request — there will be no [Florida National Guard] sent to D.C. for Biden’s State of the Union.

The White House referred DailyMail.com to the Defense Department for comment. 

Barricades around the Capitol were initially installed following the events of January 6, 2021 when protestors stormed the Capitol in the wake of the election result, and remained in place for months before being removed. 

Now steel fencing circles the Capitol once more amid fears that a convoy of US truckers will cause major traffic build up and engage in protests against pandemic restrictions as Biden gives his address.  The Pentagon has already approved the deployment of 700 unarmed National Guard troops to be used to assist with traffic control during potential demonstrations.

DeSantis, aside from not sending Guardsmen, has previously signaled support for such protests. Earlier this month he pledged to investigate fundraising site GoFundMe after it axed campaigns to raise cash for truckers protesting Canada's COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Capitol Police chief Tom Manger said fencing is being put up 'out of an abundance of caution', in consultation with the Secret Service.

'In light of the upcoming State of the Union Address, and the possibility of demonstrations in the next couple of weeks,' Manger said in a statement, 'a plan has been approved to put up the inner-perimeter fence around the Capitol building for the State of the Union Address.'

He has also asked for assistance from the D.C. National Guard. And some streets around the four acre campus have been closed. 

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said she will 'ensure that the fencing comes down as soon as possible to restore freedom of movement for District of Columbia residents and the general public.' 

Capitol Hill staff were warned about the barricades and road closures. They were also told not to be alarmed at a heavy police presence when they came to work on Monday.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 27: Fences and barriers surround the US Capitol after being re-installed ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 27, 2022 in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 27: Fences and barriers surround the US Capitol after being re-installed ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 27, 2022 in Washington, DC

The temporary security fencing was erected over the weekend around the Capitol complex

The new security fencing around the Capitol

The new security fencing around the Capitol

A U.S. Capitol Police command vehicle is seen outside of the Capitol building

A U.S. Capitol Police command vehicle is seen outside of the Capitol building

Lawmakers return to Washington D.C. on Monday after being in their districts last week

Lawmakers return to Washington D.C. on Monday after being in their districts last week

U.S. Capitol Police, in addition to putting up the fencing, have asked for assistance from the D.C. National Guard

U.S. Capitol Police, in addition to putting up the fencing, have asked for assistance from the D.C. National Guard

The barricades were initially installed following the events of January 6, 2021 when protestors stormed the Capitol in the wake of the election result, and remained in place for months

The barricades were initially installed following the events of January 6, 2021 when protestors stormed the Capitol in the wake of the election result, and remained in place for months

But the steel fences are now being reintroduced amid fears that a convoy of US truckers will cause major traffic build up and engage in protests against pandemic restrictions as Biden gives his address

But the steel fences are now being reintroduced amid fears that a convoy of US truckers will cause major traffic build up and engage in protests against pandemic restrictions as Biden gives his address

The People's Convoy left from Big Cabin,Oklahoma in the early morning hours heading towards Washington, DC

The People's Convoy left from Big Cabin,Oklahoma in the early morning hours heading towards Washington, DC

Supporters wave on the People's Convoy

Supporters wave on the People's Convoy

The US trucker convoy has been modelled on the efforts of Canadian truckers in recent weeks, whose demonstrations initially condemned vaccine mandates but later morphed to challenge the nation's entire Covid policy and the faux liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (a trucker from Ohio taking part in the convoy is pictured)

The US trucker convoy has been modelled on the efforts of Canadian truckers in recent weeks, whose demonstrations initially condemned vaccine mandates but later morphed to challenge the nation's entire Covid policy and the faux liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (a trucker from Ohio taking part in the convoy is pictured)

'For situational awareness, the D.C. National Guard and other state and local law enforcement and public safety agencies will be in the D.C. metropolitan area supporting the USSS, US Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department,' House Sergeant at Arms William J. Walker said in a note to staff on Sunday night. 

Lawmakers return to Washington D.C. on Monday after being in their districts last week.  

Last year, security officials in the Capitol considered putting up fencing ahead Biden’s joint address to Congress last April amid concern there would be protests over the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who was convicted of killing George Floyd, but the idea was eventually scrapped. 

But the trucker protests have drawn greater concern.

One group has filed a permit with the National Park Service for a protest next to the Washington Monument on March 1 - the day Biden delivers his address. The permit claims it could have up to 3,000 demonstrators in support of the Canadian trucker protests. 

US trucker convoys have been modelled on the efforts of Canadian truckers in recent weeks, whose demonstrations initially condemned vaccine mandates but later morphed to challenge the nation's entire Covid policy and the faux liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The largest group of truckers, known as the People's Convoy, is not expected to arrive in the capital until later this week, but smaller convoys could arrive as early as tomorrow. 

A large group of American truckers began a cross-country trip from California to Washington last week.

More than two dozen 18-wheeler trucks, along with about 50 pickups and recreational vehicles, left Adelanto, California, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, last Wednesday. 

This self-styled 'People's Convoy' is bound for the Beltway, a major highway encircling the US capital, to demand an end to Covid vaccine mandates, mask requirements and other restrictions.  

Modelled after the recent trucker protests in Canada, the truck convoy has been planned through online forums, with several smaller convoys splintering off from the main group.  

Florida's governor claimed on Monday afternoon that Joe Biden asked states to send National Guardsmen to Washington for the State of the Union

Florida's governor claimed on Monday afternoon that Joe Biden asked states to send National Guardsmen to Washington for the State of the Union

DeSantis has been a thorn in Biden's side since the Democrat president took office last year
He's also been touted as a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate

DeSantis, among the Biden administration's most vocal critics, has also been touted as a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate

The convoys have different starting points, departure dates and routes, making it difficult to say how many protestors there will be, where demonstrations could take place, and what the participants are planning to do.

Some of them are scheduled to arrive in time for the President's State of the Union address, though the main convoy is unlikely to arrive in the capital until later this week. 

Manger said his force's 'mission to protect the United States Congress, the Capitol, and the legislative process remains unwavering'.

The chief said his officers 'have been working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners on a security plan to prevent any disruption to the important work of Congress.' 

The fencing had been a stark symbol of the fear many in the Capitol felt after a mob of demonstrators pushed its way past overwhelmed police officers, broke through windows and doors and rampaged through the building on January 6, 2021, in a failed effort to block Congress from formally certifying former President Trump's 2020 election loss to Biden. 

The group of American truckers began a cross-country trip from California to Washington last week. More than two dozen 18-wheeler trucks, along with about 50 pickups and recreational vehicles, left Adelanto, California, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, last Wednesday

The group of American truckers began a cross-country trip from California to Washington last week. More than two dozen 18-wheeler trucks, along with about 50 pickups and recreational vehicles, left Adelanto, California, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, last Wednesday

Tourists walk through an open section of the fence that surrounds the U.S. Capitol after being re-installed ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 27, 2022 in Washington, DC

Tourists walk through an open section of the fence that surrounds the U.S. Capitol after being re-installed ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 27, 2022 in Washington, DC

The fences were first erected in January last year following the Capitol riots and remained in place for six months before being pulled down

The fences were first erected in January last year following the Capitol riots and remained in place for six months before being pulled down

Capitol Police chief Tom Manger said in a statement that the fence is being put up 'out of an abundance of caution', in consultation with the Secret Service. Mr Manger said his force's 'mission to protect the United States Congress, the Capitol, and the legislative process remains unwavering'

Capitol Police chief Tom Manger said in a statement that the fence is being put up 'out of an abundance of caution', in consultation with the Secret Service. Mr Manger said his force's 'mission to protect the United States Congress, the Capitol, and the legislative process remains unwavering'

The fencing had been a stark symbol of the fear many in the Capitol felt after a mob of demonstrators pushed its way past overwhelmed police officers, broke through windows and doors and rampaged through the building on January 6, 2021, in a failed effort to block Congress from formally certifying former President Trump's 2020 election loss to Biden

The fencing had been a stark symbol of the fear many in the Capitol felt after a mob of demonstrators pushed its way past overwhelmed police officers, broke through windows and doors and rampaged through the building on January 6, 2021, in a failed effort to block Congress from formally certifying former President Trump's 2020 election loss to Biden 

Protestors are pictured storming the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington

Protestors are pictured storming the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington

The barricades remained in place for half a year, but were eventually removed in July after Capitol Police said the threat environment no longer justified having the fencing in place.  

The US Capitol Police Board later approved a plan to briefly reinstall the fence for a rally in September that was organized to support people who remained jailed in connection with the insurrection.

But law enforcement officers and members of the media vastly outnumbered the protesters, with the planned demonstrations fizzling out quickly with only a few minor incidents reported.  

Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee has said his department is closely monitoring the shifting information and would be devoting additional policing in a rolling state of heightened alert over the next few weeks.

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