Almost 8,000 soldiers bussed in for Trump’s ‘peaceful transition’
Troops reinforce 25,000 police, a fleet of drones and 30 miles of fences as Washington DC locks down for presidential inauguration
by Tony Diver, The Telegragph.co.uk, January 13, 2024
Almost 25,000 police officers and 7,800 soldiers will descend on Washington DC for Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, officials have said, as the capital prepares for a “peaceful transfer of power”.
Two FBI field offices, a fleet of drones and more than 30 miles of fencing will be used to keep Mr Trump, other world leaders and attendees safe as he takes the presidential oath of office for the second time.
Local and federal officials revealed the security plans for the ceremony on Monday, and said that despite receiving no specific threats against the president-elect, they are “prepared” for the worst.
The inauguration security team will include almost 25,000 police officers and members of the National Guard from every state will run checkpoints to enter the National Mall in front of the US Capitol.
READ: DC police chief expecting '4,000 Local police officers from All Over US to assist us'
The government has also imposed a temporary flight restriction over Washington on Monday, and federal officials will fly drones to monitor the security situation from the sky. (READ: Anduril’s new Interceptor drone is designed to ram unidentified flying objects.)
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to travel to the Capitol, and have been told to expect airport-style security to enter a secure zone covering much of the city.
Laptops, water bottles, selfie sticks and banners have all been banned from the grounds of the ceremony by the Capitol Police.
The FBI said that despite two attempts on Mr Trump’s life on the campaign trail last year, the agency had not detected specific threats planned for the inauguration.
A coalition of protest groups has announced plans for a “People’s March” on Saturday, two days before the ceremony, to object to Mr Trump’s election victory.
They will include reproductive rights activists from Planned Parenthood, the National Women’s Law Center, Abortion Access Now and the Women’s March.
Muriel Bowser, the DC mayor, said the city’s full resources would be deployed to ensure the smooth running of the ceremony.
“Every four years, the District is proud to support the peaceful transition of power,” she said.
“We take pride in this responsibility, and we’re grateful to our federal partners, local agencies, and community members who work together to ensure a safe and secure event.”
Muriel Bowser, the Washington DC mayor, said the city’s full resources would be deployed to ensure the smooth running of the ceremony Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
At the last inauguration in 2020, which took place two weeks after the Jan 6 protests at the Capitol, federal authorities deployed additional troops and constructed a ring of steel around Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony.
The event was also pared down from the pomp of a normal inauguration because of ongoing Covid restrictions.
This time, Mr Trump’s supporters are expected to arrive from every state and take part in a host of balls and parties on Sunday and Monday night to celebrate his win. Many of the city’s hotels and restaurants have been fully booked since October.
Security for the event was increased after the New Orleans terror attack on Jan 1, when a pickup truck was driven into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year.
Matthew Young, an assistant special agent at the US Secret Service, said on the day after the attack that the agency would “adjust our security plans as needed”.
The inauguration also comes after two other ceremonies designated as National Special Security events – the certification of the election result on Jan 6 and the state funeral of Jimmy Carter three days later.
“This has never happened before,” said Matt McCool, the US Secret Service special agent in charge of the Washington field office “But we’re flexible and adaptable…we’re going to be prepared.”
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Donald Trump’s transition team has released the president-elect’s schedule for Inauguration Weekend:
by Mary Margaret Olohan, The Daily Wire.com, January 13, 2025
Trump will kick off the weekend with a reception and fireworks at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., on Saturday before heading to a cabinet reception and vice president’s dinner that same evening.
On Sunday, Trump will participate in the Arlington National Cemetery ceremony and wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before crossing the river to deliver remarks at the “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. He’ll then attend a “candlelight dinner” where he’ll also deliver remarks.
Monday, January 20, is Inauguration Day. Trump will attend church service at the historic St. John’s Church, then attend tea at the White House, before heading to the United States Capitol to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
Trump will officially bid farewell to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris before his departure ceremony, and then participate in the president’s “Signing Room Ceremony.”
He will next attend the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Luncheon, conduct the traditional “Review of the Troops” before the inaugural presidential parade, and head to the Oval Office for a signing ceremony at the White House.
On Monday evening, Trump will attend three inaugural balls: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball. He will deliver remarks at each of these events.
In a statement that accompanied the president’s schedule, Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, Inc co-chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler promised that Trump is “dedicated to uniting the country through the strength, security, and opportunity of his America First agenda.”
“The 2025 inaugural celebrations will reflect President-elect Trump’s historic return to the White House and the American people’s decisive vote to Make America Great Again,” Witkoff and Loeffler said.
The Daily Wire will be broadcasting live from Washington, D.C., throughout Inauguration Day.
A copy of the Inauguration Day program tweeted by journalist Matthew Foldi shows that Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, and the Reverend Franklin Graham will say the invocation prayers on Monday, January 20.
Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will administer the Vice Presidential Oath of Office to Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Acclaimed country singer Carrie Underwood will then sing “America the Beautiful,” according to the program, accompanied by the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then administer the presidential oath of office to Trump, after which the United States Naval Academy Glee Club will sing the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Trump will then deliver an inaugural address. That will be followed by prayers from a variety of religious leaders. Acclaimed tenor Christopher Macchio, who sang at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally in October, will conclude the inauguration ceremony with the National Anthem.
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