The special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Washington, D.C., field Office said Monday there is a higher threat environment for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 that in previous years and that there will be a more robust security plan.
"What's different is we are in a higher threat environment," said Matt McCool at a news conference with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials, according to a video posted on X.
The inauguration will be coming after D.C. had seen enhanced security measures following Congress' certification Jan. 6 of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris and the state funeral for President Jimmy Carter on Thursday.
"Additional fencing and concrete barriers will supplement the fencing already around the Capitol for the election certification and President Carter's funeral," said McCool, who was named special agent in charge of the Secret Service's D.C. field office in July. "More than 30 miles of anti-scale fence will be used for the inauguration, more than any other NSSE [National Special Security Event] ever before.
"The Secret Service's comprehensive security plan will continue to use drones as part of our protective posture. Do not be alarmed if you see these assets during the inauguration or in training in the days ahead. The Secret Service will bring agents and other specialists from field offices across the country to provide a full slate of visible and invisible security measures. We work side-by-side with our partners throughout the process as everyone plays an equal part in safeguarding this event."
Tom Manger, chief of U.S. Capitol Police, said "the biggest threat, I think for all of us, remains the lone actor," according to WTTG-TV. Lone actors were responsible for two assassination attempts against Trump last year, Thomas Matthew Crooks in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July and Ryan Wesley Routh in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September.
David Sundberg, assistant director of the FBI's D.C. field office, said command posts will be in operation at the D.C. field office and at FBI headquarters, according to WTTG.
"We are not currently tracking any specific or credible threats to the inaugural ceremony or to the Capitol complex," Sundberg said while reminding the public to remain vigilant.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Monday also warned about the possibility of "copycat or retaliatory attacks" stemming from the ramming rampage in New Orleans early on New Year's Day that killed 14.
"Our entire police department will be activated for the presidential inauguration," said D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, adding that an additional 4,000 officers from across the U.S. will be on hand as reinforcements and that 7,800 National Guard members will also be activated across D.C. to assist with inaugural events.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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