“As someone worked in the Justice Department on al Qaeda-related terrorism in the 2000s and worked extensively on counter-terrorism investigations and cases, there were times when we were anticipating a follow-up to a world event, “Carla Cordero, a CNN legal and national security analyst, said on Saturday. “I have the same feeling now.”
“It seems that a substantial threat exists,” Cordeiro said.
“This decision was made to leave a day’s delay and the Secret Service in a position, and the entire team in the Washington metro area should be ready to respond that day if needed,” he said.
DC Mayor urges Americans to watch opening from home
Combined security with the Kovid-19 epidemic, making for the opening day unlike any other.
A fort was closed in Washington, DC, where areas once open to the public were closed, with members of the National Guard patrolling near the Capitol and much of the city for vehicles and road traffic Was closed
Mayor Muriel Boeser urged Americans to enjoy the inauguration almost from home and asked anyone who did not need to go out to escape the restricted areas.
Due to concern over possible protests in state capitals, security measures are in place across the country. The US Postal Service temporarily removed some mailboxes in several major cities, while the Transportation Security Administration said on Friday that it “significantly increased its security.”
The House Oversight Committee on Thursday sent letters to more than two dozen operators of bus lines, rental car companies and hotels, in identifying and preventing the ongoing and extreme threat of violent attacks in Washington, DC and elsewhere in the coming years Asked to assist. day. “
‘Nothing left undone’: the closure of states, the establishment of their capitals
Meanwhile, local and state leaders from coast to coast have beefed up security for days to come after authorities warned of possible more violence.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the state Capitol Ground would be completely closed on Sunday, “in or around the Capitol or surrounding areas – to ensure the safety of all”.
“Domestic panic never cures,” he said in a statement. “We must stop every time we see it, and we cannot let what we see in the US Capitol become a new normal for our country.”
Texas officials also said the state capitol and its grounds would remain closed from Saturday to Wednesday, as they were aware of “plans for armed protest” and “violent extremists who are constitutionally protected to commit criminal acts.” Can try to take advantage. “
The Governor’s Office said Friday that Maryland government Larry Hogan announced a state of emergency related to the inauguration, so that the state could “more efficiently coordinate and provide assistance” to its local jurisdictions and neighboring states.
Minnesota leaders said they were ready ahead of the anticipated protest on Friday, noting that there was no credible threat against the state Capitol.
Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said, “I want you all to be comfortable and assure that nothing is left to keep the Capitol safe.”
“We’re not panicking,” Lt. Government Peggy Flanagan said. “We are worried, we are alert, and we are ready.”
In South Carolina, officials in the city of Columbia advised anyone that they did not need to live in the city center near the state capitol to stay at home.
“As long as one is needed, this weekend, and certainly on opening day, for the city,” Mayor Stephen Benjamin said, “I encourage you to stay home.”
The report contributed to CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Greg Wallace, Lauren Fox, Holly Silverman, Raja Rezek, Ross Levitt, Artemis Moshtaghian, Manu Raju, Jamie Crawford and Whitney Wilde, John Passantino, Rebekah Rees.
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