Washington is increasing security for Trump’s inauguration

With endless perimeter fences, all-seeing drones and some 25,000 security personnel, the US capital is preparing for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in an unprecedented protective posture after an election cycle marked by violence.

Washington is accustomed to high-profile, high-risk incidents, but rarely so many in such quick succession.

Monday’s presidential inauguration will be the third top-level “national special security event” in just two weeks, following the Jan. 6 election certification and former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

The city is bracing for fewer visitors on January 20 than Trump’s first inauguration eight years ago – when authorities expected up to a million visitors.

Nevertheless, a record 30 miles (48 kilometers) of anti-scale fencing is being erected around the security area.

The White House, the Capitol and parts of the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route are already surrounded by the eight-foot (2.4 meter) metal barriers.

About 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel are converging on Washington, according to US Secret Service Special Agent Matt McCool.

“We have a slightly more robust security plan” than previous years, he told a briefing Monday, saying attendees would experience extensive security checks and see snipers on rooftops, tactical teams on the ground and drones patrolling the skies.

“What’s different is we’re in a higher threat environment,” he said.

Violence marred last year’s presidential campaign, with Trump narrowly surviving an assassination attempt in July during a rally in Pennsylvania. One person in the audience was killed.

Two months later, an apparent gunman was spotted at a golf club in Florida while Trump was on the course. The incidents were seen as major operational failures by the Secret Service.

On January 1, two more deadly incidents – a truck crash in New Orleans and a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas – put Americans on edge.

McCool said “a full slate of visible and invisible security measures” covered Washington for Trump’s big day.

According to the Chief of the US Capitol Police, J. Thomas Manger, about 250,000 ticketed guests will gather for the inauguration.

Authorities said there were currently no known credible threats to the ceremony.

“The biggest threat, I think, to all of us remains the lone actor,” Manger said.

– ‘Peaceful transition’ –

Trump has had a contentious relationship with Washington’s Democratic mayor, Muriel Bowser, but this week she vowed that no effort would be spared.

“Every four years our city supports the peaceful transition of power. We are proud of that responsibility,” she told reporters.

Thousands of protesters will be present, however, including during a Saturday “People’s March” to the Lincoln Memorial.

Eight years ago, hundreds of thousands marched in a similar demonstration, but Trump’s latest victory appears to have deflated the #resistance movement, with authorities saying up to 25,000 people are expected on Saturday.

On Sunday, thousands of MAGA faithful will pack a downtown arena for a rally with Trump himself.

So on Inauguration Day, several smaller protests are planned.

Police will ensure people can “peacefully protest and assemble,” Bowser said, but “violence, destruction and illegal behavior will not be tolerated.”

For those venturing outside to watch Trump take the oath, it will be a chilly affair: temperatures are forecast to be well below freezing throughout Inauguration Day.

Trump supporters fill the city’s hotel rooms – though not to the level of his or Barack Obama’s first inauguration.

Last week, occupancy in downtown Washington for inauguration night was 70 percent, currently lower than the 92 percent occupancy rate for Trump’s inauguration in 2017, data firm STR said.

Several hotels have unveiled elite inauguration packages, including the famous Watergate, whose “Head of State” package starts at $73,500.

It includes helicopter service, a chauffeured armored Maybach, overnight stays in the Watergate Presidential Suite and a tour of the “Scandal Suite” where the infamous 1972 break-in took place.

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