Statehouses Around U.S. Seeing Armed Protests
The U.S. Capitol and the stages built for the Presidential Inauguration ceremony on January 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. After last week's riots at the U.S. Capitol Building, the FBI has warned of additional threats in the nation's capital and in all 50 states. According to reports, as many as 25,000 National Guard soldiers will be guarding the city as preparations are made for the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th U.S. President. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Heavily guarded statehouses around the country are seeing small groups of right-wing protesters on Sunday. Some of the protesters are repeatedly seen carrying rifles.

National Guard troop members and police force were brought in to prevent a repeat of the violence and deadly riot that took place at the U.S. Capitol, according to an Associated Press report.

Heavily fortified statehouses surrounded with protesters

Security was ramped up in certain states after the Federal Bureau of Investigation cautioned law enforcement authorities of possible armed protests in Washington D.C., as well as at all 50 state capitol buildings before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday.

Only a small crowd was seen at some statehouse. Several streets in other cities are still empty. Some supporters noted that they were going to support U.S. President Donald Trump.

Others said that they will be in protests to voice their support for gun rights pr condemn government overreach.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said that commanders have been warned to be on the lookout for problems inside their ranks.

McCarthy added that Guard troops are being trained to identify potential insider threats, according to The Guardian report.

"We're continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation," McCarthy was quoted on a report.

He and other leaders said they had not seen evidence of any such threats. In addition, officials said the vetting had not flagged any issues.

Troy Thompson, the spokesman for the Department of General Services, said that it was a non-event today and that they are glad it was.

Department of General Services is responsible for the protection of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg.

Statehouses Situation

Meanwhile, some militias and extremist groups told followers to stay at homes, noting the increased security or the risk that the planned events were law enforcement traps, according to a South China Morning Post report.

Downtown Washington was empty on Sunday as National Guard members in camouflage manned checkpoints across the city center. Large military vehicles were deployed to block streets, which caused some streets to be closed off to traffic.

In Virginia, streets around the statehouse were lined with police barricades. Richmond was widely empty except for a few police officers and reporters.

About two dozen members of the Boogaloo Bois movement gathered at the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. They were among protesters who were heavily-armed.

However, members said that they were there for a long-planned gun rights protest, according to a BBC report.

In Michigan, the statehouse in Lansing has seen nearly two dozen people protesting outside as police watched on. Some of the protesters in the area were carrying rifles.

More protests are seen to erupt as Biden will officially be taking oath into office, ending the Trump administration.

Biden will reportedly issue executive orders to oppose Trump's travel bans, as well as re-join the Paris climate accord on his first day in the White House.

The president-elect has also recently unveiled a COVID-19 plan with a price cap worth $1.9 trillion.

He also noted that he will be focusing on reuniting families that were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border.