"The mood out there is harsh": Congress freaked out about Trump-focused violence

Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

Lawmakers in both parties are bracing themselves for a tumultuous period after the Nov. 5 election, with many openly expressing fears of political violence.

Why it matters: Democrats, in particular, see it as virtually inevitable that Trump will challenge the election results if he loses, raising the specter of nationwide civil unrest or even a repeat of the Jan. 6 attack.

One House Democrat told Axios they are "extremely" concerned about violence and hired half a dozen state troopers to provide security at their election night event — a significant boost over past years.

Republicans, on the other hand, claim the real threat will be from the political left being unable to accept another Trump term.

State of play: Federal and local law enforcement are already ramping up security across D.C. ahead of the election, Axios' Cuneyt Dil reported.

The Secret Service confirmed to Axios that security enhancements have been made to the Capitol in the run-up to the certification of presidential electors on Jan. 6 — including fencing erected around the Capitol complex.

Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told Axios that, when Congress left for recess in September, "What I saw in terms of security was unprecedented."

The Capitol Police turned heads Monday night by performing a "casualty evacuation exercise" that involved landing three helicopters on the East Front of the Capitol.

What they're saying: In discussions with more than a dozen House Democrats, virtually all expressed some degree of fear about the possibility of post-election violence.

"Members are talking amongst ourselves about making sure people are safe, making sure their families are safe ... and what the protocols and procedures are," said Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.).

"We're certainly in a heightened threat environment here. There's no doubt about it ... so we're going to have to be vigilant about it and make sure we're taking precautions," said Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.).

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) said she fears violence regardless of the presidential result: "If [Trump] wins, he and his violent supporters will be emboldened, and if he loses, I worry they will be worse than four years ago. I think about it a lot."

The other side: Republicans voiced similar concerns, but predicted Democrats will be the perpetrators of the violence, particularly around a potential Trump inauguration.

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) said governors should have their national guard units "ready to go on a moment's notice to quell any type of civil unrest," and that "they better have [the Capitol] locked down" on inauguration day.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) cited rioting during Trump's inauguration in 2017, telling Axios, "I think there's a very good chance they will do it again."

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said he suspects the likelihood of violence "is higher if Trump wins. Like we saw on Jan. 20, 2017."

The intrigue: While most members' fears were focused on Jan. 6, some also expressed worry about the days after Nov. 5 — when some key presidential swing states are likely to remain uncalled as votes are counted.

"It's going to take some time to process ballots. So there's a lot of concern about those several days that follow the election ... about security, but also just about the ramped up rhetoric that we all expect," said Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.).

Lawmakers said they haven't yet been briefed on post-election security measures, with some expressing eagerness to receive such a briefing.

Zoom in: Several Democrats described recent experiences that gave them chills about the highly charge political atmosphere of the country leading up to the election.

Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) shared how she was in New York the night of Trump's Madison Square Garden rally and found herself "in a sea of angry Trump voters," adding, "The mood was quite dark."

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said he "had two women verbally assault me and rudely interfere with my dinner" while in a GOP-held congressional district neighboring his own, telling Axios, "The mood out there is harsh."

Between the lines: The fears come up against a backdrop of a dramatic rise in threats against lawmakers in recent years.

Violent attacks such as the Capitol riot and the Good Friday vehicle attack in 2021 — as well as several more recent disturbing incidents — have added a graphic element to those fears.

A handful of ballot box fires in the Pacific Northwest also has lawmakers concerned about efforts to interfere with states' election procedures.



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