As the 116th Congress convened at noon on January 3rd, there was generally a fairly festive atmosphere outside – greetings, photos, friendly but alert Capitol police, news media, onlookers, etc.

The Herndon Reston Alliance came with letters that spelled out Defend Democracy, setting up at various areas near the Capitol and Congressional office buildings.This is the same group that brings letters to the nightly Kremlin Annex protests at the White House.