As New Threats Emerge, Washington Monument Closed to The Public

The storming of the US Capitol on January 6th remains the most prominent story in the United States this week, and likely the world.

Reactions to the event are still pouring in after a massive crowd of Trump supporters overtook Capitol police and entered the hallowed government building in the afternoon on Wednesday.  Their mission appeared to be two-fold:  Disrupt the certification of the electoral college results from the 2020 election, and possibly take hostages – as evidenced by the law-enforcement-grade zip ties that a number of individuals were carrying with them inside the Capitol.

And it’s not over yet.  The FBI has suggested that like-minded individuals are planning to descend upon DC again in the coming weeks, possibly on January 17th and/or January 20th.

This has led the National Park Service to take drastic action.

The National Park Service has temporarily closed the Washington Monument “in response to credible threats to visitors and park resources.”

The closure, which began Monday, will remain in effect until Jan. 24.

“Groups involved in the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021. This includes the set up and execution of inaugural events, which occur in several park areas. In response, the National Park Service will suspend tours,” the Park Service wrote on its website.

“These temporary closures may be extended if the conditions persist. The National Park Service will reopen areas as it determines that the conditions of concern are no longer present.”

Joe Biden has announced that he still intends to be inaugurated on the steps of the Capitol, despite the violence that took place on that very spot just a few days ago.