Fortress Washington Occupied and Militarized

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

What's going on in the nation's capital is unprecedented.

Around 25,000 troops, unknown numbers of secret service agents, other federal security forces, and local police turned the city into a blockaded armed camp ahead of illegitimate transition of power on January 20.

The nation's capital resembles occupied Baghdad's Green Zone that's half-way around the world from Washington DC.

Seven-foot-high non-scalable barricades topped with razor wire surround the Capitol and various federal buildings.

Thousands of heavily armed National Guard troops and other security forces — with orders to use lethal force against alleged threats — guard the city's perimeter and virtually everything important inside.

Bridges into the city and National Mall will be closed ahead of Wednesday's transition of power. 

At checkpoints, IDs of occupants in cars, no other modes of transport,  or on foot entering or leaving the city are checked.

The Military Times reported that "National Guard troops from (virtually all US (states) continue to pour into DC for…security."

Army General Daniel Hokanson, head of the National Guard Bureau, is commanding what's going on. 

Deployment of troops was authorized for up to 30 days for transition of power preparations, what's planned for January 20 and its aftermath.

The Washington Post, located in the city on K Street NW, said it's "closed off like never before," adding:

"(T)he Secret Service has launched a massive security operation."

"Vehicle traffic in much of the city will be prohibited or limited to residents and businesses only." 

"Metro is shuttering stations in the city's core and near the Mall." 

"Street closures will continue through Thursday, and are subject to change at the discretion of the Secret Service."

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser noted the unprecedented interruption of daily life for city residents and businesses while all of the above continues.

Saying "we are in unchartered waters" greatly over-dramatizes preparations for alleged threats that are highly unlikely to happen unless one or more state-sponsored false flags are planned to further vilify Trump and his supporters.

No reported intelligence or other information suggests a serious enough or any threat to warrant over-the-top preparations — notably 25,000 National Guard troops from all states.

No explanation was given for what's going on at enormous taxpayer expense — other than non-specific remarks.

The best FBI director Christopher Wray would offer was saying the following:

"We are seeing an extensive amount of concerning online chatter — that's the best way I would describe it — about a number of events surrounding the inauguration" with no further elaboration.

His remark suggested no organized or other planned threat(s) to inauguration day events — likely because there are none expected.

According to one observer who walked around the perimeter of barricades twice this week, it's nearly impossible for any unauthorized vehicle or person to get anywhere near close to where inaugural ceremonies will be conducted.

At Secret Service discretion, closures, barriers, and other preparations are subject to change.

A Final Comment

On Friday, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser's remark was an Orwellian shot across the bow for what may be coming ahead nationwide, saying: 

"(O)ur entire country is going to have to deal with how our intelligence apparatus, security apparatus at every level deal with a very real and present threat to our nation (sic)."

Her remark indicates a new abnormal for the city that perhaps is coming to the US nationwide.

The only "threat to our nation" is state-sponsored.

A free and open society appears on the chopping block for elimination — totalitarian rule enforced by police state harshness appears coming to replace it.

VISIT MY WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

My two Wall Street books are timely reading:

"How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion, and Class War"

https://www.claritypress.com/product/how-wall-street-fleeces-america/

"Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity"

https://www.claritypress.com/product/banker-occupation-waging-financial-war-on-humanity/