Business as usual in Washington, under tight security

WASHINGTON — Security officials in the U.S. capital remain on alert after yesterday’s terror attack in London, though no new overt measures were taken yesterday to boost the already tight security in and around the Capitol and other high-profile Washington locations.

Still, lawmakers noted that while there were no new security threats directly following from the attack outside Britain’s Parliament, where an attacker left at least four dead before being shot by police, the ever-present threat of lonewolf terror incidents has become an everyday part of life in the U.S. capital.

“We live in a world that if it wants to do a copycat attack, there’s not much that can stop them,” U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said in a CNN interview last night.

Shortly after the London attack, U.S. Capitol police said they were under “increased situational awareness” and would monitor the situation to determine if any increased security was necessary in and around the Capitol complex.

There were no visible signs of increased security on Capitol Hill buildings, where security measures are already among the tightest in the nation. Lawmakers largely went about business as usual on a busy day consumed primarily with the lead-up to today’s House vote on a Republican measure to replace the Affordable Care Act.

A Department of Homeland Security statement said, “Our domestic security posture remains unchanged ... However, our frontline officers and agents continue to stay vigilant in safeguarding the American people and our homeland.”

The agency also joined the White House and State Department in condemning the attack and offering assistance to Britain, a close U.S. ally, saying U.S. federal law enforcement officials “are in close contact with our British counterparts to monitor the tragic events and to support the ongoing investigation.”

President Trump was briefed on the London attack soon after it happened, and called British Prime Minister Theresa May to offer condolences for the casualties suffered, praise the quick efforts of British law enforcement, and offer the full support of the U.S. government, according to a White House readout of the call.

“The city of London and Her Majesty’s Government have the full support of the U.S. government,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters yesterday.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also issued a statement condemning the attack.

“The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom,” Tillerson said. “We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference.”