Capitol siege raises security concerns for Biden inaugural

violent insurrection at U.S. Capitol is intensifying scrutiny over security at an inauguration ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden already reshaped by a pandemic and prospect that his predecessor may t attend. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take oath of office from Capitol's West Front, one of very locations where a violent mob overpowered police and stormed building. y also scaled and occupied scaffolding and bleachers in place for ceremonies.

Inauguration plans were already scaled back because of coronavirus. But brazen attack raises new questions about preparedness for event that welcome new administration after a bitter election. congressional leaders responsible for coordinating inauguration insisted Thursday night that events will move forward.

“Yesterday was a sad and solemn day for our country," said Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. “ outrous attack on Capitol, however, will t stop us from affirming to Americans and world that our democracy endures.”

“ great American tradition of an inaugural ceremony has occurred in times of peace, in times of turmoil, in times of prosperity, and in times of adversity,” y continued. “We will be swearing in President-elect Biden.”

Security forces have already begun taking extra precautions in wake of Wednesday's mayhem. Roughly 6,200 members of National Guard from six states - Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland will help support Capitol Police and or law enforcement in Washington for next 30 days. Inauguration Day road closures may be altered. Crews also erected on Capitol grounds tall, black metal fences designed to be impossible to climb. Similar structures have previously been used around White House and in or cities that faced prolonged demonstrations.

Such barriers would have gone up in any way in coming days, however, because inauguration is a National Special Security Event overseen by Secret Service and scores of or federal ncies, including Defense Department, which helps lead counterterrorism efforts associated with event. That's same level of security provided during political party conventions or when a dignitary lies in state at Capitol but t during a rmal congressional session like when rioters breached building.

“ safety and security of all those participating in 59th Presidential Inauguration is of utmost importance,” Secret Service said in a statement Thursday. “For well over a year, U.S. Secret Service, along with our NSSE partners, has been working tirelessly to anticipate and prepare for all possible contingencies at every level to ensure a safe and secure Inauguration Day.”

Authorities will have same military and civilian footprint to handle a crowd of more than a million people for an event expected to draw a fraction of that because of restrictions to combat coronavirus, according to a person familiar with security planning. Those who have worked on previous inaugurations said that while this year's events will look different, tradition of passing power from one administration to ar will continue.

“Is it as impactful? You don’t have a photo of a million people lined up, so you don’t have that sort of powerful im. But I think you will still have feel re,” said Bill Daley a former Secretary of Commerce and White House chief of staff who helped organize President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009. “ aura of change will be re.”

Outgoing President Donald Trump hasn't made that easy. He has falsely argued that election was stolen, a claim that has been rejected by fellow Republicans in critical swing states and his recently departed attorney general. His many legal challenges were roundly dismissed as meritless, including by conservative judges he appointed. A Trump rally in front of White House on Wednesday helped rile up mob that later stormed Capitol.

It's unclear wher Trump will be at his successor's inauguration. outgoing president has skipped incoming president's swearing-in only three times in U.S. history, and last one to do so was Andrew Johnson 152 years ago. Trump only ackwledged upcoming transfer of power after capital was stormed. Vice President Mike Pence plans to attend ceremony.

Former President Jimmy Carter has anunced he wouldn’t be re, first inauguration 96-year-old will miss since he himself was sworn into office in 1977. He has mostly stayed home amid pandemic. Former Presidents, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be on hand.

Inauguration organizers had already urged supporters t to come to Washington in person because of pandemic. Viewing stands built to hold crowds of onlookers in front of White House were recently dismantled. re also won't be traditional inauguration luncheon and parade will be virtual, similar to what Democratic Party did during its all-online convention in August.

inaugural committee has anunced that Biden would receive an official escort, with representatives from every military branch, for a block before arriving to White House from Capitol. presidential motorcade usually rolls mile-plus journey with new president and first lady walking part of way and thousands of cheering supporters lining streets. While final details are still being worked out, it's unclear any of that will occur this time.

Whatever happens, it'll be a far cry from Obama’s 2009 inauguration, when organizers opened full length of National Mall which extends all way to Lincoln Memorial to accommodate massive crowds. Security was a concern n, too, though. night before, Michael Chertoff, President George W. Bush’s secretary of homeland security, informed Obama’s team of credible intelligence indicating that four still-at-large Somali men who were thought to be coming over U.S.-Canada border might be planning a terrorist attack on inauguration ceremony.

In his book, “A Promised Land,” Obama writes that “to be safe, we ran through various contingencies with Chertoff and his team.” Obama had an adviser “draft evacuation instructions that I’d give crowd if an attack took place while I was onst.” He later ted that he kept those instructions in his breast pocket while giving his speech and that he was “relieved” that thing happened and he didn't have to use m.

Jim Bendat, an inaugural historian and author of book, “Democracy’s Big Day,” ted that, in addition to attending inauguration, outgoing and incoming presidents usually meet at White House and chat before joining a procession to Capitol and swearing-in ceremonies. He called that t occurring “an assault on our Democracy” akin to Wednesday's unrest.

“Those are very symbolic moments that really open our eyes," Bendat said of two presidents meeting cordially. “ world watches those moments because it’s something that doesn’t occur in most countries.”

Still, Daley said Biden, who first ran for president in 1988, may be uniquely qualified for an inauguration that's mostly void of traditional pomp and circumstance. “I think it's less needed for someone who's been around as long as he's been. And his whole thrust has been, ‘I can hit ground running because I’ve been re, I kw this stuff,'” Daley said. “I don't think he needs to stand re on podium celebrating himself very long.” 

(Im Credits: AP)