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Capitol Police request National Guard if needed ahead of rally defending those arrested after Jan. 6

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September 15, 2021 at 7:12 p.m. EDT
The U.S. Capitol sits behind a barbed-wire fence in early March. The fencing was removed but will be reinstalled ahead of Saturday’s rally. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post)

The Capitol Police have requested the support of the National Guard on Saturday if events get violent at a rally of demonstrators supporting those arrested in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

“The USCP has asked the Department of Defense for the ability to receive National Guard support should the need arise on September 18,” Capitol Police wrote in a statement. The agency declined to answer follow-up questions, citing security precautions.