Update: The U.S. Capitol Police provided an update on Thursday afternoon, reassuring the public that the situation involving a “suspicious package” near the Supreme Court had been resolved. In a statement, they confirmed that they had successfully addressed the package, and as a result, the surrounding roads would soon reopen. The Capitol Police wished everyone a safe day.
Original Story: Concerns arose on Thursday as law enforcement swiftly took action to clear the area in front of the Supreme Court due to the discovery of a “suspicious package” near the courthouse.
Supreme Court Police and U.S. Capitol Police diligently worked together to ensure the safety of protesters and pedestrians by evacuating the vicinity in front of the courthouse and the adjacent sidewalk. The heightened security measures came shortly after the release of a highly-anticipated opinion by the court regarding a legal challenge to race-based admissions at universities. The ruling significantly impacted the practice of affirmative action in schools that receive government funding.
In a social media update, the U.S. Capitol Police explained their involvement, stating that they were assisting the Supreme Court Police in dealing with a suspicious package. As a precautionary measure, they were also responsible for maintaining a cleared area. While they couldn’t disclose specific details about another agency’s case, they assured the community that they would provide updates on their involvement. As part of the security measures, access to the surrounding streets was temporarily closed.
Authorities refrained from providing specific information about the nature of the “suspicious package.” However, according to a report by Fox News’ Chad Pergram, the decision to evacuate the Supreme Court area came after a protester threw a water bottle and bag over the protective fence surrounding the Court. It was this incident that triggered the swift response from the Supreme Court Police and U.S. Capitol Police, treating the situation as a potentially suspicious package, prioritizing the safety of all involved.