Secret Service, National Guard Bring Heightened Security To DC

WASHINGTON, DC — Looking around, a lot has changed in Washington, D.C., since pro-Trump supporters attempted to stage an insurrection Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol.

Non-scalable fencing has been erected around the U.S. Capitol grounds, and some of the more than 20,000 members of the National Guard expected to arrive in the city to provide security for the inauguration have begun setting up bivouacs under the Capitol Dome and elsewhere around the city.

"We cannot allow a reoccurrence of the chaos and illegal activity that the United States and the world witnessed last week," said agent Matt Miller of the U.S. Secret Service. "Our democracy is built on the rule of law, and the Secret Service workforce is dedicated and committed to uphold its oath to the Constitution and assure that its vital no-fail mission regarding the security of the presidential inauguration and the peaceful transfer of power is carried out."

Miller, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and representatives from District and federal agencies coordinating security for the 59th Presidential Inauguration provided an update during a Friday afternoon news conference.

At Bowser's request, President Donald Trump declared a pre-emergency declaration in D.C. This helped expedite direct federal assistance to the District to prepare for the inauguration.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agreed to extend the National Special Security Event period, so it would begin Jan. 13 instead of Jan 19 as originally planned, in response to the events of Jan. 6.

"This year, of course, as everyone is aware, our country is battling the most significant health crisis to face the nation in more than a century," Miller said. "The need to follow recommended public health guidance combined with the increased measures resulting from last week's events will undoubtedly impact the inauguration in almost every aspect."

Also see: Police Break 'Blue Wall Of Silence'; Turn In Their Own For Riot

In spite of all this, Miller said the security plan was developed to respond to any contingency that might occur on or leading up to Jan. 20.

"As with any NSSE, our core strategy is to leverage our existing outstanding partnerships with our local law enforcement, public safety, and military colleagues here in the National Capital Region, as well as those who are directly here in support of the week's events, and the collaboratively developed, comprehensive security plan for the inauguration," Miller said.

For more than a year, the U.S. Secret Service has been working with federal, state and local partners to develop an operational and security plan for the inauguration to ensure the safety of the event's participants, city residents and visitors.

As for the current threat situation, Miller said all of the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Forces across the country are working 24 hours a day to pursue every lead and credible threat, calling it a true "whole-of-government approach."

"MPD serves this city exceptionally well." Miller said. "We have had very candid situations about we can't create a fortress and allow the rest of the city to suffer in services. ... The city should not be concerned that they will be let down by MPD."

Miller added that an additional plan was in place in case a legitimate threat occurred at another state capital so that sufficient forces would be able to respond in a timely manner.

"The Metropolitan Police Department has carefully planned both resources and personnel for this event, and the additional resources will enable MPD to provide the same great level of quality and professional police service to our communities," Chief Robert Contee said. "All of our officers will be on hand to participate in ensuring a peaceful day, both for inaugural events and throughout our great city"

Contee echoed Bowser's sentiments that people should enjoy the inauguration virtually from home rather than in person in D.C.

"We are working hard not only to secure the event itself, but also working very hard to reassure the communities of the District of Columbia that we are prepared for this event," he said.

On Thursday, the Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police sent a request to the National Park Service asking that areas within the National Mall and Memorial Parks be closed during the inauguration. This included the areas around the White House and monuments, and several sections along Pennsylvania Avenue.

Officials at the U.S. Department of the Interior were concerned about assuring space was available for First Amendment activities during the inauguration.

"We are the premier First Amendment area in the country — in the world, probably — and we wanted to see if we could do that and also meet their security needs," said Jeff Reinbold, superintendent of the National Mall. "So, as of this morning, secretary of the interior has officially closed areas of the National Mall."

The NPS identified two areas that will be set aside for small First Amendment activities, where up to 100 people will be able to gather. One of these is at the U.S. Navy Memorial (701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and the other is at John Marshall Park (Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., between Fourth and Fifth streets).

When asked if the Proud Boys, Boogaloo Bois, or other right-wing groups had reserved the spaces, Reinbold said he did not have the names of the particular groups but that they were organizations that had been involved with previous First Amendment activities on the Mall.

The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority said Wednesday it would be closing 13 Metrorail stations before and during the inauguration, as well as 26 bus lines. More information is available on the Metro website.

WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld promised increased security for Metro's customers and staff.

"What the customers will see is a stepped-up transit police presence," Wiedefeld said. "We've also reached out to our brethren at other transit agencies, and you will see police officers from Baltimore, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, New Orleans, Houston, Denver and San Francisco also in our system throughout this week."

The MARC train will not be in service from Sunday to Wednesday, according to the Maryland Transit Administration.

Also see ...

• DC Prepares For Threat Of Violence Leading Up To Inauguration
• Coordinated Security Response Needed For Inauguration: DC Mayor
• 'Catastrophic Failure' At US Capitol Must Be Investigated: Mayor
• 80 Arrested For Civil Unrest At US Capitol And Around DC
• Trump Mob Attacks Capitol; 4 Deaths; 69 Arrests; FBI Seeks Tips