Lawmakers on edge as Capitol security heightened in Arizona
As the 2021 legislative session began Monday, the state Capitol’s perimeter was surrounded with a fence. A usually packed parking lot was closed to the public.
Last spring, the 2020 session was cut short because of the pandemic, and in December, a COVID-19 outbreak led lawmakers to shut down their buildings.
Questions linger about how effective safety guidelines recently implemented at the Capitol will be to help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, but another precarious situation is on the minds of some legislative staff and lawmakers:
Will armed protesters show up at the Capitol? And will they peacefully demonstrate, or will they reenact the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week?
State police are working with local law enforcement officials, and a governor’s spokesman said the Arizona National Guard would be on call.
Senate President Karen Fann, RPrescott, said some senators are on edge, and many have received one type of threat or another.
“The fact we have to put up this type of temporary fencing for any period of time — it’s sad,” she said.
In state capitals across the country, officials are concerned about potential violent protests inspired by the thousands of people who stormed the nation’s Capitol and assaulted overwhelmed police. The Jan. 6 riots resulted in the deaths of five people, including one officer.
The insurrection was fueled by outgoing President Donald Trump, who since Election Day has falsely claimed the election was rigged and thousands of votes in key states were stolen from him in favor of President-elect Joe Biden.
Conspiracy theories surrounding the notion the election was stolen have been debunked, but some Arizonans continue to believe there was election fraud.
‘They didn’t want to take any chances’
An internal FBI bulletin warned of armed protests planned at the 50 states’ capital buildings starting Sunday until the Jan. 20 inauguration of Biden.
A spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which provides security at the state Capitol, said he could not go into detail about the security measures the agency had implemented but that officials are monitoring “situations locally and nationally.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, fences have been erected at the state Capitol complex to protect property,” said Bart Graves, a department spokesperson. “Security procedures at the state Capitol were previously enhanced, not for one specific event, but to ensure the safety of the public. We can’t discuss further security measures but are always monitoring situations locally and nationally.”
Fann said the decision to put a fence up was made by the Department of Public Safety and capital security.
“After seeing what happened in D.C., they decided they didn’t want to take any chances,” she said.
The fence is temporary and she does not intend or want access to be limited as it is now for the remainder of the session, Fann said.
She said she does not like the fence. “First of all, it’s ugly,” she said. “Second of all, it really does send out a really bad message. This is the people’s building,” she said.
Heightened awareness of potential trouble
Anger at the false notion that the election was stolen had raised alarms at the state Capitol. The riots in Washington, D.C., just heightened awareness.
On Thursday, Gov. Doug Ducey’s office directed state workers to avoid the Arizona Capitol complex at DPS’ urging, advising agency directors to grant administrative leave to employees unable to work remotely.
DPS also asked the Arizona Supreme Court to allow only “critical staff ” into the building, a court spokesman said.
Officials had ramped up security at the state Capitol last month as Arizona’s 11 presidential electors prepared to cast their votes for Biden and Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris.
Anger by those who falsely claimed the election was stolen had spurred protests on Capitol grounds, threats against Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and calls for demonstrations outside the home of House Speaker Rusty Bowers.
Ahead of the elector ceremony, some entrances to the Executive Office Tower were closed, with police stationed outside the building. Visitors needed appointments to access the floors that house the offices of the governor and secretary of state.
The location of the ceremony was kept under wraps and ultimately took place at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Andrew Wilder, director of communications for the House Republican caucus, said leadership is aware of the FBI bulletin and is taking it seriously.
“We are approaching it with the utmost seriousness and working in very close consultation with the Department of Public Safety to ensure security for our members, employees and property,” he said.
‘Violence is not the solution’
C.J. Karamargin, a spokesperson for Ducey, said in an email that “acts of violence or vandalism directed at a building that is the living symbol of our representative form of government will not be tolerated.”
He said DPS officials are working with Phoenix police and that the “Arizona National Guard will be utilized if necessary.”
“Governor Ducey will fully use his executive authority to keep the Capitol and people who work here safe. We are working to make sure everyone who works at the Capitol — lawmakers, staff and journalists — is protected,” Karamargin said. “If DPS determines a heightened level of security is warranted, state employees will be advised to work from home.”
During his state of the state address, the governor condemned the violence in Washington last week.
“It was a sickening day in Washington, D.C., that no American will ever forget,” he said. “In the United States of America, violence and vandalism have no place in the people’s House. Perpetrators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Let us resolve that it never happens again.”
Meanwhile, other states’ leaders have sent a more grim message about potential violent demonstrations.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “Everyone is on high alert.”
In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said, “We do not want to underprepare.”
In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee warned that his state “cannot tolerate any actions that could result in harm.”
In Michigan, where six men were indicted last month on charges of conspiring to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a state commission banned the open carrying of weapons in the statehouse in Lansing.
Attorney General Dana Nessel warned people away. “My job is not to provide state employees & residents or other visitors to our Capitol with a false sense of security, especially given the current state of affairs in Michigan and around the nation,” Nessel tweeted Tuesday. “I repeat — the Michigan Capitol is not safe.”
Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said people who plan to demonstrate at the Arizona Capitol should not use violence if they are genuine about their concerns on election security.
“Violence is not the solution. Weapons are not allowed inside the House of Representatives, so clearly people who plan to bring weapons are not planning constructive communication,” she said. “Bringing a weapon seems to be a guarantee that your voice will not be heard. Bring a pen and a willingness to collaborate and we fling the doors open to you.”