In a move that has sparked concerns and speculations, the U.S. Capitol Police coordinated a large-scale “Casualty Evacuation Exercise” on Monday night, involving multiple federal agencies and a fleet of helicopters buzzing above Capitol Hill. The exercise, which comes just over a week before Election Day, has raised eyebrows among some conservative leaders, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who warned that Democrats may be ramping up security measures in preparation to retain control over the Capitol post-election.
The Capitol Police announced the exercise in advance, releasing a public statement on social media to alleviate concerns about the unusual late-night activity and low-flying helicopters over Capitol Hill. “EXERCISE: This evening, the United States Capitol Police & our federal partners are conducting a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low-flying helicopters,” the statement read. The post also included a photograph showing emergency vehicles parked outside the Capitol, underscoring the scale and intensity of the drill.
Official Statement:
“EXERCISE: This evening, the United States Capitol Police & our federal partners are conducting a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low-flying helicopters.”
EXERCISE: This evening, the United States Capitol Police & our federal partners are conducting a routine training exercise on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Please do not be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and low flying helicopters. pic.twitter.com/nLWgwMQONg
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) October 28, 2024
This recent exercise follows another major drill conducted by the Capitol Police just one week prior, on October 21. That drill involved a campus-wide evacuation of the Capitol complex at around 10 a.m., coordinated with other Legislative Branch partners. Capitol Police advised the public to expect temporary street closures along Constitution Avenue, Independence Avenue, and D Street NE as part of the drill. The back-to-back exercises, in such close proximity to the upcoming election, have prompted suspicions, particularly among conservative lawmakers who question the necessity and timing of such measures.
In particular, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced her concerns, warning her supporters that Democrats might be using these security exercises as a pretext to secure control over the Capitol regardless of the midterm election outcome. In a statement released on social media, Greene claimed that increased security measures in Washington, D.C., are a strategic move by Democrats aimed at cementing their hold on government. She noted that these exercises, especially with the presence of multiple helicopters and the timing so close to the election, are “not to protect the people, but to further entrench their hold on the government” in case they lose power in the House.
Greene’s warning comes amid heightened tension on Capitol Hill, as Republicans and Democrats gear up for what many expect to be one of the most consequential elections in recent years. January 6, the date on which Congress is set to certify the presidential election results, is also looming in the background. For some conservative leaders, the recent drills evoke memories of January 6, 2021, when a violent breach of the Capitol occurred during Congress’s certification of the 2020 presidential election. Greene argues that Democrats are potentially preparing for similar unrest or upheaval if the election results don’t swing in their favor.
The Capitol Police, however, have stated that the exercises are routine security drills conducted to ensure readiness for any emergency scenarios that could endanger the safety of lawmakers and government workers in Washington. The frequency and scope of these drills, they contend, are standard and necessary preparations as Election Day approaches. Since the Capitol riot in 2021, there has been increased scrutiny on the Capitol Police and their preparedness for emergencies, which may explain the more extensive measures this year.
Despite these explanations, Greene and other conservatives are calling for further transparency from the Capitol Police and their federal partners regarding the necessity of such large-scale exercises and why they are happening so close to Election Day. For Greene, the drills reinforce her perception of a deeper strategy by Democrats to maintain a tight grip on the Capitol, regardless of the election’s outcome. She contends that these exercises are “not a coincidence” but a deliberate preparation for “controlling the Capitol” if Democrats face losses in the House and Senate.
The Capitol Police have not issued any additional statements on Greene’s claims but maintain that all current drills and exercises are part of routine emergency preparedness. The department’s commitment to protecting the Capitol has only intensified since 2021, with several security enhancements introduced over the last two years to avoid being caught off guard by any future threats.
As Election Day draws closer, the public will likely continue to scrutinize the activities in Washington, D.C., particularly as more conservative voices raise concerns over government transparency and security measures. For now, the Capitol Police have sought to reassure the public that the recent exercises, while intensive, are in the interest of Capitol safety and have no hidden agenda. However, Greene and others remain vocal about what they see as a more strategic positioning by Democrats in light of potential shifts in power.
Read Rep. Greene’s statement below:
Capitol Police hold “Casualty Evacuation Exercise” at the Capitol with multiple helicopters last night.
Stay with me on this.
Trump told us to make it to big to rig and we are on our way to making that happen as long as everyone votes for Trump, but we are in danger of losing the House with approximately 20 House seats literally too close.
Without the House, we can not pass critical legislation to bring forward our MAGA agenda.
But also, if Democrats control the House, they will refuse to certify President Trump’s election on January 6th. They’ve already said they won’t certify.
Leading into this election just in the past few months, Democrats are making big moves to secure the Capital in January for certification on the 6th.
Last night, Capitol Police conducted a “Casualty Evacuation Exercise” on the East Front with multiple helicopters.
This comes after the DoD signed off on military force to be used to assist police against the American people, Mayorkas designating Jan 6th as a “Special Security Event” through Homeland Security, Mayor Bowser of DC requesting security for Jan 6th, and announcement of fencing to be erected Jan 5-21st.
While security is always important, Democrats are the party of riots, violence, and destruction. If they lose, they don’t care about securing anything. They nearly burned down Washington on Trump’s inauguration in 2017, rioted nightly during 2020, called us all Nazi’s and Trump Hitler for years, and shot Trump in the face.
But they are ramping up mass security for the Capitol because they are planning to maintain control of the Capitol by winning the House.
Trump’s momentum is too big to stop and we are watching the polls stopping the steal for Trump, but we are not doing the same thing for critical House races.
And if Trump wins the WH, Republicans win the Senate, but we lose the House, Democrats will build a fortress of resistance in the House.
They will stop everything, they will impeach Trump again, and they will abuse every ounce of power that comes with the House of Representatives.
And Democrats see all of us as the enemy.
Make sure you VOTE all the way down ballot for Republicans and don’t skip voting just because you are in an unwinnable Democrat state or a solid Republican state and you don’t think your vote matters that much.
You voting for Trump AND that RINO Congressman you can’t stand is actually the key right now to saving this country!!
We have to win the Presidency, the House, and the Senate!!!
GO VOTE AND WIN IT ALL!!!
Capitol Police hold “Casualty Evacuation Exercise” at the Capitol with multiple helicopters last night.
Stay with me on this.
🚨🚨🚨Capitol Police hold “Casualty Evacuation Exercise” at the Capitol with multiple helicopters last night.
Stay with me on this.
Trump told us to make it to big to rig and we are on our way to making that happen as long as everyone votes for Trump, but we are in danger of… pic.twitter.com/ybKDqkjJdj
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) October 29, 2024
