With President-elect Donald Trump’s opening one week ahead, law enforcement in Washington, D. C., is prepared for the meeting after two other high-profile activities in the region this quarter.
The Secret Service’s Washington Field Office special agent, Matt McCool, claimed there is a” significantly more robust protection plan” and that the opening will take place in a “higher risk culture” than the previous one.
McCool said all attendees of the opening may have safety screenings, and other procedures may involve road closures, temporary flight restrictions, 30 miles of fencing to defend the ceremony, and the use of drones.
The FBI will have two control content, according to David Sundberg, the FBI’s Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge, and that it is” not now tracking any specific or credible challenges to the annual ceremony.” The “lone actor” continues to pose the greatest threat to the event, according to Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger.
” Just recently, President Carter was lying in state, and two lone actors showed up at the Capitol, one of them trying to bring knives and a machete, and the other of whom attempted what I believe was to disrupt the proceedings by setting their car on fire in the Peace Circle area,” Manger said.
The biggest justification for us being on at this heightened stage of alert, he continued,” U.S. Capitol police were able to interdict these people before they had any chance to do any harm.”
Due to the numerous road closures in the district, Bowser advised residents and visitors to use public transportation. On the district’s inauguration website, a full list of the road closures can be found.
” Most of the impact of the inauguration will be felt in the area directly around the National Mall, the United States Capitol, the convention center, and around Union Station”, Bowser said. Make sure to plan ahead and give yourself extra time if you live, work, or need to travel through those areas that are shown on the map in the upcoming week and weekend.
The D. C. Metro will open an hour earlier than normal on Inauguration Day, at 4 a. m., and five stations will be closed from 8 p. m. Sunday, Jan. 19, through 5 a. m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. The stations will be McPherson Square, Federal Triangle, and Smithsonian on the silver, orange, and blue lines, and Mt. On the yellow and green lines, Vernon Square and Archives.
On Inauguration Day, according to WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke, some entrances to open stations will be closed, and the system will feature a larger number of law enforcement officers. On the transit agency’s website, additional details about WMATA station closures and service changes can be found.
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Beginning on Wednesday, the D.C. Metro will also offer a commemorative SmarTrip card featuring Trump at some stations.
Trump will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Sunday, followed by a victory rally in downtown Washington. On Monday, at noon, Trump will take the oath of office on the Capitol Building’s West Front.
