WASHINGTON – The National Mall may be closed to the public on Opening Day next week, according to two federal officials in different agencies, but the issue is still being discussed with President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee.
The National Park Service said a decision could be announced until Friday.
Closing the mall would be a big change from previous openings, which saw up to 1 million people attend – or more than in the case of Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009.
The discussion comes amid threats of violence from right-wing extremists and after Biden’s inauguration committee decided to make most of the day’s celebrations virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mixed Inaugural Commission had already announced that this year it will not issue tickets for people to attend closer to the ceremony.
If the mall is closed, only authorized people will be allowed to enter, said a federal official, like those working on the entertainment program planned for the end of the night.
Federal officials also said they are considering allowing admission to groups that have already received “First Amendment” permits.
One such license, allowing 5,000 people, was issued to a group called “DC Action Lab”, which described itself as intending to do a “demonstration of freedom of expression against possession”. If access to the group is allowed, all those present will be examined by the police authorities.
Biden’s oath as president on Wednesday will come two weeks after pro-Trump protesters invaded the Capitol and resulted in the death of one Capitol Police officer and four others.
Biden’s inaugural theme will be “United America” and he will participate in various activities alongside former Presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to emphasize this message of unity, his inaugural committee said on Monday.
Pop music artists Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga will also perform, the committee announced on Thursday. Gaga will sing the national anthem and Lopez will make a musical performance on the Western Front of the Capitol, where the ceremony will be held.
