Government Agencies Raise Concerns Over Security Around Trump Inauguration
Several government agencies are warning that President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be “an attractive potential target” for violent extremists and terrorists, according to an unreleased analysis that was leaked to Politico.
National security experts are warning that those who harbor “election related grievances” may see the president-elect’s inauguration as “their last opportunity to influence the election results through violence,” according to a threat assessment authored by multiple law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service and Capitol Police.
The threat assessment identified foreign terrorists, domestic extremists or “lone wolves” as potential perpetrators. Security agencies also listed a number of violent attacks that could potentially be carried out, including vehicle-ramming attacks, mass shootings and bombings. The assessment also instructs agencies to be aware of potential bomb hoaxes and swatting calls.
Law enforcement also raised concerns over protests that could turn violent. During Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, far-left extremists rioted, fought with police and set multiple fires. The vast majority of charges against the roughly 200 individuals arrested were ultimately dropped.
“Past protests by some of these individuals have involved traffic blockades, trespassing, property destruction, and resisting arrest,” the threat assessment states, according to a separate report from Fox News.
New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 508th Military Police Company, 108th Wing, and 177th Fighter Wing arrive near the Capitol to set up security positions in Washington, D.C. ahead of President Biden’s inauguration in 2021
On Monday, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger warned that “lone actors” pose the most serious security threats to Trump inauguration events during a joint press conference with federal and local law enforcement officials.
“The biggest threat, I think, for all of us remains the lone actor,” Manger said. “Just in the past week, while President Carter was lying in state, we had two lone actors show up at the Capitol: one trying to bring in knives and a machete; another one who was trying – what I believe – to disrupt the proceedings by setting their car on fire down in the peace circle area.”
“Capitol Police were able to interdict these folks before they had a chance to do any harm,” the Capitol Police chief added. “But that threat of the lone actor remains the biggest justification for us being at this heightened state of alert throughout the next week.”
As a result of potential threats, local and federal law enforcement agencies are beefing up security around Trump inauguration festivities. Police officers from around the country are expected to pour into the nation’s capital over the next week, according to D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith. The reinforcements will help to bolster an additional 1,000 officers who will be bolstering the Capitol Police.
An additional 7,800 National Guard personnel will also be deployed in the days leading up to the inauguration. Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge for the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, stated during Monday’s press conference that there will be upwards of 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel on-hand to assist with inauguration security.
“What I can tell you is that we are 100% confident in the plan that we have put in place for this inauguration that the public and our protectees will be safe,” McCool said.