Two assassination attempts during the electoral campaign, a terrorist attack in New Orleans and an explosion in Las Vegas: it is in a tense security context that Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony is taking place this Monday in Washington DC what put security services under pressure, especially since the very cold temperatures affecting the capital of the United States led to a last minute reorganization. The ceremony, which usually takes place outdoors, will take place indoors.
We take stock of the security system that was put in place for this event, classified as a “special national security event”. This classification allows for the deployment of significant federal, state, and local resources to ensure an effective security plan.
Number of guests restricted
The ceremony was moved inside the Capitol rotunda, which can accommodate 700 people. It will only be open to members of Congress, their spouses and VIPs, says CNN.
The general public — more than 200,000 people have tickets to the inauguration — was redirected to Capitol One Arena. This room can accommodate a little over 20,000 people. Securing it will be one of the major issues of the day, because Donald Trump has indicated that he will go there after his swearing-in.
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A secure area and controls
The security forces had to review a long-prepared security plan in three days. According to CNN, preparations began in early 2024. A secure zone was implemented around the Capitol, as well as on the waters of adjacent rivers. Officers and agents will be placed on the roofs, the Secret Service said.
More than 30 miles of tall black fencing have been installed throughout the secure zone and security checkpoints have been set up to accommodate spectators. A plan has been put in place by the Secret Service for those who arrive and those who leave.
-Many objects are also prohibited inside the secure zone. Some are common at public events, like drones, explosives, guns. But animals, bicycles, chairs, selfie sticks and even balloons were also on the banned list.
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Many metro stations around the area closed at 8 p.m. on Sunday evening and will not reopen until Tuesday morning. Several roads are also closed to vehicles around Capital One Arena.
Many law enforcement officers deployed
25,000 law enforcement officers will be deployed to ensure the security of the event. The American National Guard announced that it was deploying 8,000 soldiers from around forty states for the occasion.
A District of Columbia Police helicopter will also fly over the capital. It will be responsible for monitoring the crowd and suspicious vehicles outside the perimeter, its pilot told CBS News. According to the media outlet, the helicopter’s onboard cameras can read a license plate from 300 meters above sea level and send the live video to the police’s real-time crime center.
Swiss
