Preparations for Monday’s presidential inauguration of Donald Trump and the protests and rallies that will precede it are reaching their peak in the US capital Washington. Washington authorities expect around a quarter of a million people to arrive in the city. Washington police will be fully deployed, assisted by colleagues from other US states as well as members of the National Guard.
Tight security measures in a climate of fear and remembrance of the attacks
Although smaller crowds are expected at Trump’s second inauguration on 20 January than at his first eight years ago, security measures will be no less, even in light of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans and the failed attack outside Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas. Also vividly remembered is the assassination of Trump last July, in which an attendee at the Republican’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania died while Trump escaped with a shot ear. It’s not just Washington residents who also remember the events of 6 January 2021, when Trump supporters violently stormed the seat of Congress in an attempt to prevent the confirmation of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. At the time, Trump did not concede defeat and falsely claimed that Biden had become president through electoral fraud.
Security on Inauguration Day will be overseen by 25,000 police officers and soldiers, including the entire Washington Police Department and 7,800 National Guardsmen and 4,000 police officers from across the country, The Washington Post reported, citing William McCool of the Secret Service, which is in charge of protecting US presidents.
Measures, protests and restrictions for visitors
The security measures are also related to actions in previous days. On Saturday, a “People’s March” will take place in Washington, organised by civil rights groups, ethnic minorities and abortion rights advocates. On Sunday, Trump will hold his last rally with supporters before his inauguration at a Washington covered stadium, and his inauguration on Monday is likely to be accompanied by protests, especially by pro-Palestinian groups, unions and socialists, in addition to the traditional celebrations, the WP noted.
Nearly 50 kilometres of special fences, which cannot be climbed, will protect the guarded sites from uninvited guests. There will be no shortage of snipers or special equipment to detect explosives and radiation, but unlike the police and fences, they will not be as visible to the public. Visitors to Washington must also be prepared for numerous road closures in the city centre on Inauguration Day, as well as the closure of several metro stations and most museums. The forecast is for sunny skies but daytime temperatures will be around minus four degrees Celsius.
Source: Reuters
