Donald Trump Inauguration: How US Secret Service Is Managing Unprecedented Security Across Washington

President-elect Donald Trump, 78, is scheduled to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. The inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol Rotunda has led to an unprecedented level of security not just around the location but across American Capital Washington.

There are reports of protests scheduled on January 18 in Washington against Trump's win in the presidential election. On New Year eve, there were terrorist attacks in New Orleans and New York. Notably, previous attacks on Trump during his poll campaigns in Pennsylvania and Florida left the security agencies to not take any chances for lapse in the system.

Over a dozen foreign leaders have been invited to attend the inauguration and related events. India would be represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Argentinian President is among the heads of state to attend.

Due to frigid weather in Washington the location was changed to indoors and it will likely cause some shifts in where troops may be positioned, but no other major changes because troops will still have to secure the area around the Capitol, as per reports.

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Unprecedented Security At Reception | Top Points

The inauguration is a National Special Security Event (NSSE), a classification that brings federal and local partners together under the lead of the United States Secret Service.

• Overnight, iron walls and fences have come across the length and breadth of the city. Officials told Associated Press that 30 miles of temporary fencing and about 25,000 security personnel have been deployed for the occasion.

• All major venues associated with the inauguration have been blocked and cordoned off. Authorities have warned participants to walk, many times, even a mile, to reach the venues. To reach a venue, participants would also have to pass through multiple layers of security checks. People have been asked not to bring any large bags or items with them.

• A major part of the city in particular around the US capitol and the White House have been shut down.

• US Secret Service Washington Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool was quoted, “The Secret Service's number one priority, along with our law enforcement partners, is the safety and security of our protectees and members of the public attending this historic event." He added, “Our agents are making notifications to affected business owners and property managers and we are asking for the public’s patience as we fine-tune these security plans.”

• District residents and business owners have been asked to plan for widespread road closures across Downtown Washington.

• National Guard leaders have authorised the use of a special shoulder patch with the Guard motto “Always Ready, Always There," to ensure that people coming to the inauguration will know who is who.

• According to AP, officials said that the US government is far more prepared this year for any emergency or incident, but they also believe that America's transfer of power will be less violent and threatening than it was in 2021, when about 25,000 Guard troops descended on the city in the wake of the siege at the Capitol.

• About 7,800 Guard troops from more than 40 states and US territories will be on duty, and they have already begun flowing into Washington.

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• The Guard troops will do crowd management, traffic control and other security, and there will be teams to monitor and respond to any chemical, biological or other explosive incident. They will help to staff 100 traffic control points and five subway stops.

• Intelligence agencies are closely watching for any threats.

• This time, the hotels and eateries will be packed. So Guard officials have identified other ways to house, feed and care for the troops who will pour in to help secure the city. They are expected to use a number of downtown buildings that will be largely vacant as federal employees telework over the coming days.

• About 87 per cent of the Guard troops will be Army and 13 per cent will be Air Force.

(With AP inputs)