US State Capitals Prepare for Armed Protests as Trump's Departure Nears

The US security services are preparing to confront rallies supporting the outgoing President Donald Trump in the capitals of the fifty US states during the next few days.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned police agencies of possible armed protests in all state capitals, from today, Saturday,  until the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.

Those envisioned protests will be fueled by Trump supporters who believe in rigging the elections.

Among the states that have mobilized their National Guard to enhance security are Michigan, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Washington, while Texas has closed the state Congress building from today until the day of the inauguration.

The American "Washington Post" newspaper reported that a number of armed demonstrators gathered in front of the Capitol building in Austin, the local capital of Texas.

The newspaper pointed out that this gathering coincided with the preparation of law enforcement forces in the state for a demonstration, which was scheduled to start at noon, local time.

The newspaper pointed out that "the demonstrators piled up weapons and other tools in the parking lot opposite the Capitol building, before walking to the front gate of the building."

The newspaper pointed out that "some of the protesters were wearing camouflage jackets, blue jeans, and cowboy hats. Others were also seen carrying pistols, cartridges, portable radios, and cables."

Capitol Police arrested a Virginia man while trying to pass through a police checkpoint in central Washington on Friday carrying fake credentials to Biden's inauguration, a pistol, and more than 500 rounds.

Thousands of armed National Guard members are now deployed in the streets of Washington, in an unprecedented show of force in the American capital, and visits to a number of famous landmarks across the country will be banned in the coming days.