Sen. Mitch McConnell criticizes heavy U.S. Capitol security, compares it to Afghanistan

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday criticized the level of security at the U.S. Capitol right now, two months after a violent riot happened there, and compared it to what he previously saw in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"I think we've overdone it," he told reporters during a press conference that afternoon in Washington. "I'm extremely uncomfortable with the fact that my constituents can't come to the Capitol.

"With all this razor wire around the complex, it reminds me of my last visit to Kabul," McConnell continued. "Do we need some changes? We probably do. But I think we are continuing to overreact based on current threat levels ... It looks terrible to have the beacon of our democracy surrounded by razor wire and National Guard troops."

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The fencing and other security changes were made after swarms of people who supported former President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

That riot resulted in the deaths of a U.S. Capitol Police officer and four other people and forced members of Congress to evacuate while they were in the midst of certifying President Joe Biden's victory.

McConnell has condemned that riot as a "failed insurrection" and publicly laid blame for provoking it at Trump's feet, although he voted to acquit the former president of inciting an insurrection during February's impeachment trial.

Reach reporter Morgan Watkins: 502-582-4502; mwatkins@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @morganwatkins26.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell criticizes US Capitol security, likens it to Kabul