What's Happening At The Arizona State Capitol In The Lead-Up To Biden's Inauguration
Download mp3 (3.61 MB)STEVE GOLDSTEIN: The U.S. Capitol is on high alert the day before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, just a couple of weeks after pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol in D.C. Law enforcement around the country also planning for potential unrest at state capitols (Wednesday), including our own in Phoenix. The FBI specifically warned of potentially violent protests in all 50 states ahead of Biden's swearing in as the nation's 46th president. But in the days leading up, there's been very little action at the state Capitol. And here to tell us more about what the scene looks like here in Phoenix heading into tomorrow is KJZZ's Jimmy Jenkins. Jimmy, good morning.
JIMMY JENKINS: Good morning, Steve.
GOLDSTEIN: So over this past holiday weekend, things were pretty quiet at Arizona State Capitol. Did Phoenix see any protesters show up?
JENKINS: Just a handful. We monitored the Capitol this weekend. And unlike earlier demonstrations by supporters of President Trump, there were just a few people that showed up this weekend, just a few folks standing around with flags — and then actually more press showed up than protesters.
GOLDSTEIN: And what about visual in terms of what the Capitol looks like now or the protective measures in place?
JENKINS: It's a lot different than we're used to, Steve. For more than a week now, the whole complex has been surrounded by fencing — two layers of fencing in some instances. The public can't access the areas where you can once freely walk. There are lots of police vehicles stationed at and around the Capitol complex. Driving by this weekend, you saw both the parking lots used by members of the House and Senate are fenced off, and there's security guarding the entrances. And while there aren't a lot of police walking around the area, Steve, they are in their cruisers and their SUVs parked all over the surrounding area. And they're doing regular patrols of the streets surrounding the Capitol.
GOLDSTEIN: Well, Jimmy, taking all that into account then, what has law enforcement told you? What are they anticipating for tomorrow?
JENKINS: All of the agencies have pretty much said similar things to me, that they're going to cooperate. They're going to work together. We talked with local, state and federal law enforcement officials last week, and then I checked in again with them this weekend. They said they're preparing for potential unrest in Arizona but did not give any specifics. A spokesperson for the Phoenix FBI said they're focusing on identifying, investigating and disrupting individuals who are inciting violence. The Phoenix Police Department says it will monitor any information related to the inauguration. And the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says it remains ready to be a support agency to other areas in the state.
GOLDSTEIN: All right. Well, as we always say in this business, wait and see. That is KJZZ's Jimmy Jenkins. Jimmy, thanks as always.
JENKINS: My pleasure, Steve. Thank you.
