Washington DC braces for Election Day violence, erects fencing around White House, Kamala's house, boards up businesses

In preparation for Tuesday’s election, business owners have boarded up their storefronts, while security fencing has been erected around the White House, the Capitol building, and Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence.

Secret Service have set up eight-foot-tall metal fences around the White House and Treasury Department as well as neighboring parts of Lafayette Square, the Washington Post reported. Such fencing has also been put in place outside the Naval Observatory grounds and Harris’ residence there. Authorities have said that there are no credible threats, and Washington’s police chief said at a news conference there is "no need for any alarm."

At the Capitol, temporary bike rack barriers have been placed around the perimeter with the signs "Police Line: Do not cross." The Secret Service has also installed security measures outside the West Palm Beach, Florida convention center where 2024 GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump will be holding his election night party.

The Secret Service said in a statement Sunday, "The Secret Service is working closely with federal, state and local partners in Washington, DC and Palm Beach County, Florida to ensure heightened levels of Election Day safety and security. These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election."

In DC’s downtown area, owners of commercial buildings near the White House have boarded up or added fencing to street-level businesses and shops. Business association leaders have said that they would rather overprepare, citing damages done in 2020.

"There is concern around the city. We’re not expecting full-fledged pandemonium like we saw after Jan. 6, or four years ago," said vice president of government affairs for the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington Eric Jones. 

"Honestly, it’s just fear," Jones added, saying that some retailers that aren’t in the city’s core fear looting as the police’s attention will be focused elsewhere in the city. "I’m getting constant emails and text messages because people are really engaged. … People would rather be overprepared and have nothing happen, as opposed to the alternative."

All eligible 3,300 DC police officers will be working 12-hour shifts, and Leon A. Beresford, executive vice president of Admiral Security Services,, said that the company, which provides security guards to 150 commercial buildings in downtown, will be mobilizing around 2,000 private personnel to work 12-hour shifts at buildings closest to the White House, Freedom Plaza, and the Capitol. 

As the city enhances security, a new report from the New York Times titled "Dancing? Bible Verses? Booze? A Tense DC Tries to Calm Its Nerves" revealed that Democrat government workers began leaving in a "mini-exodus" after the Trump-Biden debate in June, with one career employee texting a friend, "scared. Wait and see," after deciding to stick it out through the election. One Democrat congressional staffer who quit said the possibility of Trump winning was too "terrifying" despite believing Harris will win.

The report also noted that at least one liquor store has reported climbing sales ahead of the election. 

"NY Times reports Democrat staffers are quitting on the Hill and drinking is way up in DC," Human Events Daily host Jack Posobiec wrote. "They know what’s coming."