Texas Capitol shut to thwart violent protests

Fearing potentially violent protests at the state Capitol building over the next several days, officials are closing the area through next Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution,” the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Friday.

The department “is aware of armed protests planned … this week and violent extremists who may seek to exploit constitutionally protected events to conduct criminal acts,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a release.

Both the Capitol building and grounds will be closed from Saturday through Wednesday, when President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated in Washington, D.C., according to the release.