Statehouses have beefed up security, closed to the public and asked state employees to work from home, multiple state officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: Unrest broke out in several state capitals on Wednesday, but even places with peaceful protests have been forced to take extra precaution in the waning days of Trump's presidency.
- New Mexico, Oregon and California saw some of the most aggressive actions from protestors on Wednesday. New Mexico's lawmakers were forced to evacuate and meet virtually, 11 Sacramento protestors were arrested and an unlawful assembly was declared in Salem.
- On Thursday, the Michigan State House had to be evacuated for two hours because of a bomb threat.
WATCH: Unrest amid protests at the state Capitol in Oregon pic.twitter.com/1WxmntWvPL
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2021
Driving the news: States are continuing to take security precautions after Wednesday's multi-state disorder. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu canceled his in-person swearing in ceremony originally scheduled Thursday, in part because of protests.
- Arizona state employees were told to work remotely Thursday, and despite peaceful protests so far, fences have been erected at the capitol building.
- New Mexico's state capitol was closed to the public Thursday, Axios' Russell Contreras reports.
- Minnesota and Maryland Statehouses are among many beefing up security, according to state officials.
Minnesota State Patrol troopers keep areas around the State Capitol sealed off as a precaution, one day after pro-Trump protests here and an attack on the US Capitol pic.twitter.com/WQA1xHMarL
— John Croman (@JohnCroman) January 7, 2021
Between the lines: For some states, increased security measures are not new given the pandemic and ongoing unrest over police killings and coronavirus-related orders in the past year.
- The state capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, for example, has been fenced off since last May, and work at the capitol has already been largely remote, according to Axios Minneapolis reporter Torey Van Oot.
