Washington DC: The FBI warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state

  

Big thing: D.C. locks down earlier than planned

National Guard members stage on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images By Mike Allen The FBI warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in D.C. in the days leading up to next week's inauguration, and a vast swath of downtown Washington will close on Wednesday — six days early. Why it matters: Federal authorities have dramatically escalated security in Washington following the Capitol siege, including today's temporary closure of the Washington Monument — based on pre-inauguration threats. The National Special Security Event will involve tens of thousands of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement personnel, the Department of Homeland Security announced. During the expanded security period, many businesses around the Capitol and White House will be inaccessible.  Other National Security Special Events, which make the Secret Service the lead agency, include the Super Bowl and the national political conventions.