Recent events in New Orleans and Las Vegas have the FBI and security services on edge.
The American capital, Washington, is preparing to welcome next week thousands of people for the inauguration of Donald Trump and deployed 30 miles of barricades and called in 25,000 law enforcement officers in preparation. Of the opposition demonstrations and supporters are also expected in the U.S. Capitol the weekend before the inauguration, which will take place Monday on the steps of the Capitol before a parade to the White House.
This inauguration comes after a presidential campaign marked by violence, including two assassination attempts against Donald Trump, as well as recent deadly attacks. A US Army veteran mowed down dozens of people while driving a pickup truck in New Orleans on New Year's Eve, killing 15 people including the assailant. On January 1, a soldier died after blowing up a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump Hotel in vegasinjuring at least seven people. “We are in a high threat environment”warned Matt McCool, head of the American secret service.
The inauguration will take place at the same place where, on January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol to protest Joe Biden's presidential victory. That day, Donald Trump continued to falsely claim his victory by claiming that his failure was caused by fraud.
Lone Wolf
The authorities are not aware of any specific threats, but remain particularly vigilant against “lone wolves”like the New Orleans attacker, or two recent incidents near the Capitol, where individuals attempted to enter the building with bladed weapons and set fire. “The threat of a lone wolf remains the primary justification for why we are on heightened alert throughout next week”Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said during a security briefing. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security Police across the country warned Monday of the risk of attacks similar to those in New Orleans.
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Washingtonfor its part, will close much of its downtown to traffic, blocking access with concrete barriers and garbage trucks. The barricade, made up of black barriers 2 meters high, will extend over 48 kilometersthe longest ever erected in Washington, authorities said. Some 7,800 National Guard troops and 4,000 officers from other police agencies across the country will step up security.
Although some residents of the city, where 90% of voters voted for Kamala Harris, plan to flee traffic or stay home, tens of thousands of people are expected for celebrations and demonstrations. According to data from Smith Travel Research and shared with Reuters by Destination DC, Washington's official tourism body, about 70% of the capital's 34,500 hotel rooms were booked last week for the two nights before the inauguration. Hotel occupancy was around 95% for Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017 and around 78% for Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013.
Marches and rallies
This year, approximately 25,000 people are expected at an anti-Trump march on Saturdayand many other demonstrations will take place until Monday. Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017 was already marked by massive protests. Thousands of people are expected at a dozen other demonstrations or gatherings authorized by local authorities between Saturday and Monday, including a pro-Trump rally on Sunday at the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena. Juliette Kayyem, a former head of internal security, believes authorities are prepared to handle all scenarios, although she thinks the worst is unlikely to happen. “It is always easier to reduce security than to increase it”she concluded.
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