Biden’s inaugural committee instructed the public last month not to try to attend the ceremony in person because of concerns about the coronavirus. After last week’s deadly siege of the Capitol by pro-Trump protesters in Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser also warned Americans to stay away from the nation’s capital amid security threats.
Airbnb, the online home rental company, announced on Wednesday that it would cancel all reservations in the Washington area during opening week to discourage out-of-town visitors.
President Donald Trump responded on Monday to Bowser’s request to declare a state of emergency in Washington prior to his inauguration, and federal officials on Wednesday authorized an increase in the number of national guards stationed across the city – potentially increasing the presence of troops to more than 20,000 until possession. Day.
Acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen said in a video statement on Wednesday that there would be “no tolerance for any attempts to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power”.
Meanwhile, the four-star officers who make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrote a memo for the entire force on Tuesday, stating that Biden will become commander-in-chief next week and telling troops that “any act to interrupt the constitutional process is not just against our traditions, values and oath; is against the law. “
Although the president-elect’s inaugural planning team is reevaluating its security planning after the siege of the Capitol last week, Biden insisted on Monday that he “is not afraid” to take the oath of office outside on the west front of the Capitol.
Trump said he does not intend to attend Biden’s inauguration. But Vice President Mike Pence is expected to appear, as are all living ex-presidents and their spouses – with the exception of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
On Tuesday, a man from the Chicago area was arrested after threatening to kill Democrats in Biden’s possession.