Washington On High Alert As Inauguration Day Of Trump Approaches, Security Measures Intensified

As the US prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, law enforcement personnel are on high alert, with numerous roads closed and heightened security measures in place across the capital. Several areas, including streets around the Capitol, the White House, and Capital One Arena, have been sealed off with fences and barricades, some of which will remain in place for several days.

By Sunday afternoon, workers were still putting up additional fences, particularly around Capital One Arena, as plans for the inauguration address and other events were shifted to the Capitol Rotunda. This move elevated the importance of Capital One Arena, which previously hosted a Trump rally on Sunday and is scheduled to host a gathering of Trump’s supporters after the inauguration ceremony on Monday.

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In response to the increased threat of terrorism, the safety perimeter around the arena was expanded, with new checkpoints set up to prevent incidents similar to the recent terror attack in New Orleans. Matt McCool, the US Secret Service special agent in charge of the Washington field office, confirmed the heightened measures, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

National Guard units and police officers have been deployed around the arena, where roughly 20,000 attendees gathered for the rally. In addition to these security measures, authorities have confirmed that four subway stations in the city will be fully closed on Monday, and several bridges and ramps from Virginia to Washington, DC, may also be closed on Inauguration Day.

Approximately 25,000 law enforcement personnel are on duty to ensure public safety throughout the inauguration events. Despite the extensive precautions, thousands of attendees at the rally faced long waits in line, some stretching over a mile. However, due to limited capacity, many were unable to enter, and others opted to leave as snow and rain began to fall on the city.

The inauguration ceremony is set to take place at noon on Monday, with temperatures expected to hover around minus five degrees Celsius.

Among the attendees waiting in line for hours to attend the rally was Leah Aguanno, a Trump supporter from Westfield, New Jersey. Holding a Trump-Vance flag, Aguanno said, “Even though the weather is bad, I’m still happy to be here to be part of this. It’s a moment in history, and I’m expecting great changes and many orders to be reversed tomorrow after Trump is in office.”

Aguanno expressed hope that Trump would lift the ban on TikTok and engage in discussions with China about the social media platform. “I think TikTok has changed a lot of people’s lives and gave a lot of people a purpose,” she added.

Chazz Hanson, another Trump supporter from Pickens County, Georgia, also attended the rally and received a ticket to watch Trump’s inauguration address live at Capital One Arena on Monday. Hanson, who has faced challenges over the past three years, expressed optimism that Trump would bring about the necessary changes.

As security preparations continue and the stage is set for the inauguration, Washington remains on high alert, with thousands of law enforcement personnel ensuring the safety of the public and dignitaries during one of the most significant political events in US history.