D.C. Locks Down Ahead of Biden Inauguration: Bridges, National Mall Closed
18 Jan 2021
Washington, D.C., is locking down in the days ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, with street and bridge closures dominating the city and “core areas” of the National Mall shutting down.
Virginia State Police are reportedly assisting U.S. Secret Service in shutting down bridges in the days ahead of the inauguration. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and Democrat lawmakers including Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) made the announcement last week, adding that the inauguration ceremony will “see the strongest Capital-area security response in history.”
Security is tight in D.C. ahead of Inauguration Day on Wednesday after the FBI warned of threats to the city and the possibility of armed groups demonstrating.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Peter Gaynor told "America Reports" Monday that there is a "heightened sense of alert" surrounding the security preparations for Joe Biden's inauguration.
The National Guard, Army, Secret Service, and FBI are all coordinating to vet and train 25,000 National Guard members from 44 states to ensure none of those providing security for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration hold extremist ideologies.