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"With all this razor wire around the complex, it reminds me of
my last visit to Kabul," McConnell told reporters at a news
conference.
The U.S. Capitol complex, home to both the Senate and the House
of Representatives, was placed under tight security that
includes a perimeter fence after a mob of former President
Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building in a Jan. 6 riot
that left five people dead, including a police officer.
About 5,200 National Guard soldiers currently patrol the area.
Their mission was originally due to end on Friday. But the
Pentagon, which is reducing their number to 2,300, has agreed to
extend their mission for an additional two months at the request
of the U.S. Capitol Police.
U.S. security agencies warned last week that "militia violent
extremists" discussed plans in February to "take control of the
U.S. Capitol and remove Democratic lawmakers" on March 4, a date
deemed significant by adherents to the debunked QAnon conspiracy
theory. But only a smattering of QAnon followers gathered on
that day.
"I just checked early this morning. There have been no serious
threats against the Capitol. I think we're way overreacting,"
McConnell said.
"I'm extremely uncomfortable with the fact that my constituents
can't come to the Capitol," the Kentucky Republican added.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and
Jonathan Oatis)
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