As Washington, DC, prepares for the influx of crowds attending the inauguration, US law enforcement is on high alert. Many roads surrounding key locations such as the Capitol, the White House, and Capital One Arena have been sealed off with fences or barricades. These security measures are set to remain in place for several days leading up to the event.
On Sunday afternoon, workers were still in the process of erecting additional fences, particularly around Capital One Arena. The arena had been set to host the inaugural address, prayers, and speeches, but those events were moved inside the Capitol Rotunda. This change made Capital One Arena a key site for the inauguration, where President-elect Donald Trump held a rally on Sunday and planned to meet his supporters after the inauguration ceremony on Monday.
Enhanced Security Around Capital One Arena
To ensure safety, the perimeter around Capital One Arena was expanded, with additional checkpoints established. This move comes after recent security concerns, including a terror attack in New Orleans. Matt McCool, the US Secret Service special agent in charge of the Washington field office, highlighted the increased precautions to avoid a similar situation, according to Xinhua news agency.
The area around Capital One Arena saw a significant law enforcement presence, with National Guard units deployed to maintain order as approximately 20,000 attendees gathered for the Trump rally.
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Several transportation routes will also be affected on Inauguration Day. Four subway stations in Washington will be fully closed, and various bridges and ramps from Virginia to DC may be shut down. Around 25,000 law enforcement personnel are expected to be on duty to ensure public safety throughout the inauguration process.
Despite inclement weather, including rain and snow, thousands of people waited in long lines to attend Trump’s rally on Sunday, which stretched over a mile. However, many were unable to enter due to limited capacity. Some chose to leave as the weather worsened, while others remained hopeful for the upcoming event.
Trump Supporters Reflect On The Inauguration
Leah Aguanno, a Trump supporter from Westfield, New Jersey, was among those who waited for hours to attend the rally. Holding a Trump-Vance flag, she expressed her excitement about the historical moment. “Even though the weather is bad, I’m still happy to be here to be part of this,” Aguanno said. She anticipates significant changes in the coming days, including the reversal of several policies, and hopes President Trump will address issues like the TikTok ban and US-China relations.
Chazz Hanson, a supporter from Pickens County, Georgia, was also optimistic. He had secured a ticket to attend Trump’s inauguration address live at Capital One Arena and looked forward to the changes he believes are necessary after a challenging three years.
Trump is set to be sworn in at noon on Monday, with the temperature expected to be around minus five degrees Celsius. With heightened security measures in place and crowds gathering despite the weather, the capital city is gearing up for a significant day in American history.
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