It’s time to return the U.S. Capitol to the people

Over the past few days, that horrendous fencing erected around the Capitol and its grounds has been modified to allow for more traffic. On Monday, officials announced that there will be even more changes, including removal of the looped razor wire topping the barrier. All are welcome steps — but we won't be popping any Champagne corks until the fence is completely gone, and one of the nation's most iconic landscapes is restored to its full glory.

Acting House Sergeant-atarms Timothy Blodgett announced that the security perimeter put in place after the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump will be reduced and, in some cases, removed, and the heavy presence of the National Guard will be eased “in the coming weeks.”

The bad news is that there will still be a fence ringing the Capitol, significantly cutting off access — and no one can or will say for how long. A security review of the Capitol commissioned by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-calif., has recommended mobile or “retractable” fencing, which could be raised from underground if necessary during security events. Development of such a system would need approval and an appropriation from Congress.

After the horrors of Jan. 6, it seemed prudent to keep the fence in place for President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Surely, though, the time has come for Capitol Police to make arrangements that do not necessitate making the Capitol an armed fortress. It is up to members of Congress to balance security against other priorities, including public access.

Congressional Republicans predictably have sought to politicize the matter, trying to place all responsibility for the fence and its prisonlike ambiance in the lap of Pelosi. That's rich, considering that many of these same Republican lawmakers contributed to the security threats to the Capitol by helping Trump advance his big lie that the election had been stolen. Decisions about Capitol security are made by the Capitol Police Board, which consists of the sergeants-at-arms from the Senate and House and the architect of the Capitol. The chief of the Capitol Police is a novoting member.

Nonetheless, Pelosi does have enormous sway. We hope she will use it to restore the people's house to the people.