Donald Trump will host 400 people INSIDE the White House for election night party as security fence goes up outside amid fears of violence as first results come in
Donald Trump is preparing to hold a massive indoor election night party at the White House Tuesday with hundreds of guests as crews put up on Monday a 'non-scalable' fence around the complex Monday.
The new barrier, a federal law enforcement official told NBC News, will include blocking off the Ellipse, a large green area south of the White House, and Lafayette Square to the north.
As indications of unrest in the Nation's Capital emerge as it's likely results of the election will still be unknown Tuesday night, 250 National Guardsmen have also been put on standby to report to Metro Police officials.
The guest list for Trump's party includes 400 of his closest allies, advisers and loyalists.
Additional solid fencing, meant to deter climbers, went up around the White House Monday
The solid white wall is meant to be 'unscalable,' according to White House officials, to act as yet another barrier preventing potential protesters or rioters from reaching the White House
Crews were instructed to build the additional fencing as the Nation's Capital braces for election night unrest as results begin to filter in on Tuesday
The fencing encompasses the whole White House complex, including Lafayette Square and the Ellipse
President Donald Trump is planning to hold a 400-person indoor party at the White House on election night, which is shown above with the new barriers
Signs put up near the White House include a reminder that firearms are prohibited on federal property, which it notes is within 1,000 feet from where the lamp pole with the sign was posted
Trump canceled his plans to celebrate at his namesake hotel in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday
A White House official said Sunday that all attendees will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the indoor gathering in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic – as public health officials recommend all mass events be held outdoors to lessen the risk of spreading the disease.
Biden plans to spend election night in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, his campaign said.
The president's Tuesday night party originally was supposed to be held at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., just a few blocks from the White House.
Campaign emails even promoted that donors could enter for a chance to win a trip to attend the party at the hotel – where Trump was supposed to make an appearance.
The New York Times, however, reported Friday that the president dropped plans to show up at his hotel, preferring to watch the returns from the White House.
The East Room, likely where guests will be hosted for the party, is the largest room in the White House mansion.
Despite health officials' warnings about the risks of large gatherings amid the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, Trump has also continued to bring together big groups of people together for outdoor campaign rallies and events at the White House.
'So we have a hotel. I don't know if it's shut down, if you're allowed to use it or not,' Trump said Friday.
'But I know the mayor has shut down Washington, D.C. And if that's the case, we'll probably stay here or pick another location. I think it's crazy. Washington, D.C., is shut down. Can you imagine?' he said.
Current restrictions in Washington, D.C. in light of the pandemic prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 50 people.
A number of people who attended the September 26 Rose Garden event announcing Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court later tested positive for the virus. The outbreak caused Trump, first lady Melania and their son Barron, among about a dozen others, to fall ill to COVID.
Establishments in Washington, D.C. began boarding up their first-floor windows as they prepare for likely violence and unrest on election night
Businesses, office buildings and restaurants put up wooden boards in their windows to prevent them from being damaged during potential riots
Establishments in D.C. are concerned of rioting and looting at their businesses similar to what happened this summer when civil unrest broke out following increased tension between black Americans and law enforcement
A black chain link fence has been in place for weeks separating people from the White House fence on the Lafayette Square side – and people have put up signs in the fencing calling for Trump's removal from office
Polls taken in the days leading up to the election show Trump trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden, though the contest is closer in the competitive states that will decide the outcome.
It is unclear how many results will be known on Tuesday night.
More than 93 million Americans have voted early, and officials in several states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, say it could take several days to count all the mail ballots, possibly leading to days of uncertainty if the outcome hinges on those states.
The Supreme Court also ruled last month that North Carolina can still accept mail-in ballots up to eight days after Tuesday – setting the stage for even more uncertainty more than a week after Election Day.