Several states, including those ravaged by Black Lives Matter (BLM) riots in 2020, have placed the National Guard on standby before Election Day on Tuesday amid fears of potential unrest.
Governors in Washington and Oregon announced that the National Guard will be prepared for action on Nov. 5, CNN reported Saturday. Both states suffered millions of dollars in damage following violent protests in the summer leading up to the 2020 election.
Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced in a news release Friday that National Guard troops will be available to support law enforcement from Monday to Thursday. Several rioters established an anti-police officer “autonomous zone” in Seattle roughly four years ago, declaring “independence” for the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), which was an epicenter of unrest and crime after the death of George Floyd.
🧵 1. The Democrats have allowed absolutely anarchy in this country! They were never held accountable for their incitement of violence! Chaz in Seattle where they took over streets, damaged businesses, and were responsible for multiple deaths. pic.twitter.com/WiQyybrjln
— NukeTaco ™️🇺🇸 (@TacoforFive1) October 30, 2024
Inslee’s statement noted that “election-related unrest” had already occurred ahead of Tuesday, referencing drop-box arsons in his state.
On Oct. 28, devices with “Free Gaza” messaging on them reportedly detonated and started fires in ballot boxes in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The Portland Police Department (PPD) confirmed the incidents, in addition to a third fire in Vancouver on Oct. 8, are all connected, CNN reported.
Breaking — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered the activation of the state’s National Guard to support law enforcement in the case of civil unrest over the electionhttps://t.co/OmqXXaGFRC pic.twitter.com/5R5NQZpnNC
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) November 2, 2024
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security cautioned that threats to “election infrastructure” are of high concern, Inslee added.
“Based upon general and specific information and concerns regarding the potential for violence or other unlawful activity related to the 2024 general election, I want to ensure we are fully prepared to respond to any potential additional civil unrest,” Inslee said.
Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement to KTVZ on Friday that her state had support from the National Guard ready to ensure voters can safely cast their ballots. (RELATED: Swing State Ballots Marred In Mailbox Fire, Authorities Say)
While Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler told KTVZ that “no current information suggests unrest,” he also acknowledged “there is a lot of uncertainty as tension in our community.” Portland’s unified command, which includes city police, bumped up staffing Tuesday “as a precaution.”
Portland was another prominent city for rioters in 2020. Nights of violent demonstrations characterized by fights and fires destroyed the city as “Defund the Police” protesters battled officers on the streets.
Another riot occurred overnight on 4–5 July in Portland. Antifa & BLM militants broke out windows of courthouse & aimed fireworks inside. They threw bricks & mortars at police. There were so many rioters police only responded to emergency calls for city. https://t.co/bGpUMffMhi pic.twitter.com/Pl6abIQ6bg
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
Portland: BLM-antifa rioters attack @PortlandPolice and stop them from making an arrest. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/k0pbxFt4mC
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) September 27, 2020
Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Oct. 28 that 60 National Guard troops are on standby “in preparation for a safe and smooth Election Day.”
“This decision, which mirrors the state’s routine preparation for past elections, was made after consultation with election officials and state leaders. It is one of many proactive steps the state is taking to ensure all possible resources are in place for a timely response to any challenges that arise,” Lombardo said in a statement.
Washington, D.C., is also bracing itself for fallout ahead of the 2024 election. More than 3,000 police officers will work 12-hour shifts to ensure the city’s safety, Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said in a news conference Oct. 29.
The U.S. Secret Service set up 8-foot-high metal fences around the White House and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris’s Naval Observatory vice presidential residence, according to The Washington Post.
“The Secret Service is working closely with federal, state and local partners in Washington, DC and Palm Beach County, Florida to ensure heightened levels of Election Day safety and security,” the agency said in a statement Sunday. “These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election.”
Private businesses and other properties in D.C. have also already boarded up windows and doors out of fear of potential violence, according to the outlet.
Photos taken recently by DC photographer @PenguinSix of businesses & restaurants being boarded up ahead of the Election Day results being released. (near the White House) Additionally, anti-scale riot fencing is being implemented in the area. #WashingtonDC #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/HmZG07aeKH
— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) November 3, 2024
Law enforcement associations representing agencies across the nation made clear they have been preparing for more than a year and a half for Election Day.
“As always, the associations encourage the public to speak up if they witness anything suspicious or unusual with election activities, If you ‘See Something, Say Something,’ and let law enforcement investigate and determine the outcome of any suspicious circumstances or incidents,” the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Major Cities Chiefs Association said in a joint statement in late October.