Washington: The violent insurrection at the US Capitol is intensifying scrutiny over security at the inauguration ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden. Supporters of Donald Trump have forced the administration here to review the security system at the Capitol. There is also the prospect of Trump not attening Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris will take the oath of office from the Capitol’s West Front. It is one of the very locations where the violent mob overpowered police and stormed the building. They also scaled and occupied the scaffolding and bleachers in place for the ceremonies.
Inauguration plans were already scaled back because of the coronavirus. But the brazen attack raises new questions about preparedness for the event that welcome the new administration after a bitter election.
The congressional leaders responsible for coordinating the inauguration insisted Thursday night that events will move forward. “Yesterday was a sad and solemn day for our country,” said Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. “The outrageous attack on the Capitol, however, will not stop us from affirming to Americans — and the world — that our democracy endures.
“The great American tradition of an inaugural ceremony has occurred in times of peace, in times of turmoil, in times of prosperity, and in times of adversity. We will be swearing in President-elect Biden,” they added.
Security forces have already begun taking extra precautions in the wake of Wednesday’s mayhem. Roughly 6,200 members of the National Guard from six states will lend support to the Capitol Police and other law enforcement in Washington for the next 30 days. Inauguration Day road closures may be altered.
Crews also erected on the Capitol grounds tall, black metal fences designed to be impossible to climb. Similar structures have previously been used around the White House and in other cities that faced prolonged demonstrations.
Such barriers would have gone up in any way in coming days, however, because the inauguration is a National Special Security Event overseen by the Secret Service and scores of other federal agencies, including the Defense Department, which helps lead counterterrorism efforts associated with the event.
“The safety and security of all those participating in the 59th Presidential Inauguration is of the utmost importance,” the Secret Service said in a statement Thursday. “For well over a year, the US Secret Service, along with our NSSE partners, has been working tirelessly to anticipate and prepare for all possible contingencies at every level to ensure a safe and secure Inauguration Day,” it added.
It’s unclear whether Trump will be at his successor’s inauguration. The outgoing president has skipped the incoming president’s swearing-in only three times in US history. The last one to do so was Andrew Johnson 152 years ago. Trump only acknowledged the upcoming transfer of power after the Capitol was stormed. Vice-President Mike Pence plans to attend the ceremony.
Former President Jimmy Carter has announced he wouldn’t be there. This is the first inauguration the 96-year-old will miss since he himself was sworn into office in 1977. He has mostly stayed home amid the pandemic. Former Presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton will be on hand.