After 77 days of deadly riot, Capitol fencing removed

WASHINGTON — After two months of deadly siege, the imposing fence-line strung with razor wire has been removed from the outer perimeter of the U.S. Capitol complex.

Capitol Police said on Wednesday that the network of barriers that blocked the local streets is also reopened to traffic, though authorities said they are prepared to “quickly ramp up security at a moment’s notice if needed.”

The actual Capitol building’s inner-perimeter fence surrounding it will remain in place while police and lawmakers continue to figure out a long-term security plan.

Timothy Blodgett, the acting House sergeant at arms, last week indicated that the heavy security footprint would be relaxed. Blodgett said in a memo to members of Congress that there does not exist a known, credible threat against Congress or the Capitol Complex that warrants the temporary security fencing.

Adopting movable fences that could be deployed and dismantled for specific threats was recommended by a security review headed by retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré 

In a threat assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Counterterrorism Center, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. officials said that domestic extremists “will almost certainly’’ attempt to strike again this year.

The House and Senate must keep the debates ongoing on what security options to pursue and how much to spend. The fencing had cost about $1.2 million per week.