Inauguration security

Inauguration security teams ready to prevent terrorism, control protests

From protesters planning to block access to security checkpoints to the risk of a terrorist driving a truck through a large crowd, the list of potential Inauguration Day disasters is long, but law enforcement agencies are prepared.

In the lead-up to Friday’s presidential swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said authorities are not aware of any specific, credible threat to the events.

But with a growing trend of lone-wolf attacks, he said, special precautions are being taken to prevent the kinds of truck attacks that killed dozens last year in Nice, France, and in Berlin.

Large vehicles such as dump trucks and buses will form barriers to strengthen the security perimeter.

“The hard perimeter areas this year in light of the current threat environment — which includes Nice and Germany — will be more heavily fortified against unauthorized vehicles by dump trucks, heavy trucks, trucks with cement, buses and things of the like,” Mr. Johnson said. “That is a precaution that we are doubling down in particular this inauguration.”

An estimated 700,000 to 900,000 people will descend on the National Mall to watch Donald Trump be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

Inauguration security

Trump inauguration: Fortress Washington prepares for anti-Trump protesters to descend on the Capitol

Washington will turn into a virtual fortress ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Friday as the US capital braces for more than a quarter of a million protesters expected during the Republican's swearing-in.

Police have forecast that some 900,000 people, both supporters and opponents, will flood Washington for the inauguration ceremony, which includes the swearing-in on the steps of the US Capitol and a parade to the White House along streets thronged with spectators.

Inauguration security

Inauguration Security Prepares for Potential Threats

Plans and security preparations have been in the works for months in anticipation of the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Friday, and those whose duty it is to protect the ceremony and its festivities are taking no chances.

Protection of the events spanning three days from Thursday through Saturday is tasked to over 28,000 law enforcement officers and other officials. Personnel from Homeland Security, the Secret Service, Coast Guard and police departments from across the country and the Washington, D.C. metro area will deploy with approximately 7,800 National Guard troops.

In addition to threat of terror attacks, those securing the area will need to be concerned with protestors attempting to disrupt traffic, checkpoints and the events themselves. Nearly 100 groups have registered for protest permits, more than 10 times the usual number at previous inaugurations.

Inauguration security

FBI, Secret Service plan 360-degree security for inauguration

Brian Ebert, special agent in charge of the Secret Service Washington field office told WTOP the agency uses a 360-degree “protective methodology.” He added, “We’re paying attention to the physical, the cyber, the aerial.”

Ebert said the Secret Service will use a “robust security perimeter to defend against a number of threats. This will be a multilayered, buffer zone surrounding protected venues as well motorcade routes and of course the parade route.”

That perimeter will also include National Guardsmen and police officers, he said.

Under the special security event planning, the FBI handles intelligence, counterterrorism, hostage rescue and investigation of incidents of terrorism or other major criminal activities.

And the Federal Emergency Management Agency is responsible for recovery management in the aftermath of terrorist or other major criminal incidents, natural disasters or other catastrophic events.