Lawmakers ‘Extremely’ Worried About Post-Election Violence

In a tense build-up to the upcoming election, U.S. lawmakers across party lines are sounding the alarm about potential unrest. A recent Axios report has unveiled the bipartisan concerns that election day could trigger another wave of political violence in Washington. This revelation follows a significant ramp-up in security at the Capitol, which Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) described to Axios as “unprecedented.”

The enhanced security measures, visibly in place, include a “casualty evacuation exercise” conducted by U.S. Capitol Police and military officials on Monday. During the exercise, three helicopters descended on the Capitol grounds—an unmissable sign of the preparations underway. Additionally, a large, imposing fence now encircles the Capitol complex, reminiscent of the security perimeter established after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The memories of that day are still fresh for many lawmakers. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) expressed her ongoing concerns, telling Axios, “If [Trump] wins, he and his violent supporters will be emboldened. And if he loses, I worry they will be worse than four years ago.” She admitted, “I think about it a lot.” Ramirez’s sentiments are echoed by fellow Democrats, who feel increasingly threatened. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) emphasized that the threat environment has become “heightened,” while Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) said lawmakers are “not just worried about ourselves, but our families, too.”

The anxiety has driven some Democrats to take extraordinary steps. One anonymous House member confided to Axios that they hired six state troopers to safeguard their election night gathering, admitting that this level of protection was “unheard of” in previous elections.

On the Republican side, concerns are just as high, though their focus is on potential backlash from Democrats and supporters of Vice President Harris if Trump wins. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) pointed to the 2017 Inauguration Day riots, which left six officers injured and 217 protesters arrested in Washington. “I think there’s a very good chance they will do it again,” Banks remarked. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) even suggested that governors across the country should have National Guard units “ready to go on a moment’s notice to quell any type of civil unrest.”

The apprehension is not confined to Washington. Reports of troubling incidents across the nation are raising concerns. Ballot drop boxes have been torched, confrontations have erupted in public spaces, and several lawmakers have personally encountered hostile interactions. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) recalled being verbally harassed by Trump supporters at a restaurant. “The mood out there is harsh,” he reflected.

Swing states are bracing for impact, taking drastic steps to ensure safety. In Philadelphia, Reuters reports that ballot counting will take place in a fortified downtown warehouse, its perimeter secured by barbed-wire fencing. Detroit and Atlanta have added bullet-proof glass to election offices, and Detroit’s absentee voting chief Daniel Baxter told Reuters that his team is preparing “for a riot,” adding, “We just want to make sure that we have planned for the worst as we hope for the best.”

Even small towns are on high alert. In Caswell, Wisconsin, election officials have restructured polling stations for safety, adding escape routes to help election workers avoid confrontations. Clerk Tamaney “Sam” Augustin told Reuters that poll workers now sit facing the door with two exits behind them. “We’ve never had anything happen,” Augustin noted, “but we live in a different world now.”

Across the country, a sense of unease hangs in the air. The measures in place are stark reminders of the political tensions defining this election season—and of the possibility that, win or lose, the impact will be felt long after votes are counted.