US inaugurations: High drama and sore losers

After the violence at the US Capitol, serious security concerns have gripped Washington with tens of thousands of security personnel from the National Guard and law enforcement agencies descending in Washington for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-elect-joe-bidens-team-lays-out-inauguration-plans-as-trump-impeachment-looms-357387">Joe Biden's</a> inauguration on January 20

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-state-capitals-washington-on-alert-for-possible-pro-donald-trump-armed-protests-357405/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports say US&nbsp;defence officials are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members securing the inauguration.

FBI has been vetting National Guard troops amid fears of "insider attack"&nbsp;reports say even as security has been bolstered in other state capitals as well ahead of Wednesday's presidential inauguration ceremony.

After the FBI warning of armed protests, more than a dozen states have activated National Guard troops to help secure their Capitol buildings. State capitals in battleground states where Trump directed his accusations of voter fraud have been especially on high alert.

A small group of Trump supporters gathered outside the Michigan state capitol in Lansing, four of those protesters carried long rifles. In Columbus, armed protesters from the Boogaloo boys which is an anti-government group had gathered outside the Ohio state capitol.&nbsp;

The building is under high security ahead of US president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration even as several people gathered at South Carolina’s statehouse me carrying American flags. The group included Trump supporters who briefly interacted with another group of demonstrators even as more demonstrations are expected in the lead-up to Biden’s inauguration.

Meanwhile, Mike Pence visited US troops on the final trip as vice-president.

After the violence at the US Capitol, serious security concerns have gripped Washington with tens of thousands of security personnel from the National Guard and law enforcement agencies descending in Washington for Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20 Watch: Reports say US defence officials are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members securing the inauguration.

After the violence at the US Capitol, serious security concerns have gripped Washington with tens of thousands of security personnel from the National Guard and law enforcement agencies descending in Washington for Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20 Watch: Reports say US defence officials are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members securing the inauguration. FBI has been vetting National Guard troops amid fears of "insider attack" reports say even as security has been bolstered in other state capitals as well ahead of Wednesday's presidential inauguration ceremony. After the FBI warning of armed protests, more than a dozen states have activated National Guard troops to help secure their Capitol buildings. State capitals in battleground states where Trump directed his accusations of voter fraud have been especially on high alert. A small group of Trump supporters gathered outside the Michigan state capitol in Lansing, four of those protesters carried long rifles. In Columbus, armed protesters from the Boogaloo boys which is an anti-government group had gathered outside the Ohio state capitol. The building is under high security ahead of US president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration even as several people gathered at South Carolina’s statehouse me carrying American flags. The group included Trump supporters who briefly interacted with another group of demonstrators even as more demonstrations are expected in the lead-up to Biden’s inauguration. Meanwhile, Mike Pence visited US troops on the final trip as vice-president.

FBI vets National Guard troops fearing 'insider attack' during Biden inauguration: Report

According to reports, Donald Trump will be leaving for Florida just hours before Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony on January 20.

Trump to leave White House hours before Biden's inauguration

From Kennedy to Trump: US presidential inaugurations throughout history

President-elect Joe Biden's top advisors on Sunday outlined his plans for his&nbsp;inauguration along with the nation's multiple crises while balancing the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.

With war-zone-like security, no crowds, and coronavirus distancing for guests, Joe Biden's swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration.

Tens of thousands of security personnel from the National Guard and law enforcement agencies have descended upon Washington, D.C., to bolster security ahead of Biden's inauguration ceremony.

Preparing for violence

The nationwide security uptick followed the attack on the US&nbsp;Capitol in Washington by a mix of extremists and Trump supporters, some of whom called for the death of Vice President Mike Pence as he presided over the certification of Democrat Joe&nbsp;Biden's election victory.

The FBI and other federal agencies have warned of the potential for future violence leading up to&nbsp;Biden's inauguration on Wednesday, as white supremacists and other extremists seek to exploit frustration among Trump supporters who have bought into his falsehoods about electoral fraud.

Security officials had eyed Sunday as the first major flashpoint, as that is when the anti-government "boogaloo" movement made plans weeks ago to hold rallies in all 50 states. But by late Sunday afternoon, only handfuls of demonstrators had taken to the streets alongside much larger crowds of law enforcement officers and media personnel.

As the president-elect prepares to take power in a city where only two weeks earlier Trump supporters launched a violent attempt to overturn the election, Biden faces overlapping crises: not only the pandemic but a struggling economy, climate change, and racial tensions.

Biden wants Congress to act quickly on a massive, $1.9-trillion&nbsp;stimulus package to revive the economy, and he plans a blitz to accelerate America's stumbling Covid vaccine rollout.

His target of seeing 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine injected within his first 100 days in office is "absolutely" achievable, top US scientist Anthony Fauci told NBC on Sunday.

Shadow of uncertainty

But the coming Senate impeachment trial,&nbsp;an unprecedented second for Trump,&nbsp;casts a shadow over Biden's path forward.

Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have yet to say when the trial will begin.&nbsp;

Biden has said he hopes Congress can deal with that stark distraction even while advancing his aggressive agenda.

Adding to the uncertainty is a badly riven Republican Party, divided over Trump's false assertions that he won November's election, his&nbsp;fanning of emotions ahead of the deadly Capitol invasion, and on the future direction of the party.

A muted celebration

Plans for the inauguration,&nbsp;in normal times a bracing, even joyous, tribute to a peaceful transition,&nbsp;had already been scaled-down out of pandemic concerns. Fears of new violence by unyielding Trump supporters after the January 6 riot have cast a further pall.

"This will be an inaugural like no other, in large part because of Covid," Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said in an interview aired Sunday on CBS.&nbsp;

"But we are going to get sworn in. And we're going to do the job we were hired to do."

President-elect Joe Biden's top advisors on Sunday outlined his plans for his inauguration along with the nation's multiple crises while balancing the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.

President-elect Joe Biden's top advisors on Sunday outlined his plans for his inauguration along with the nation's multiple crises while balancing the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. With war-zone-like security, no crowds, and coronavirus distancing for guests, Joe Biden's swearing-in as the 46th US president will be a muted affair, unlike any previous inauguration. Tens of thousands of security personnel from the National Guard and law enforcement agencies have descended upon Washington, D.C., to bolster security ahead of Biden's inauguration ceremony. Preparing for violence The nationwide security uptick followed the attack on the US Capitol in Washington by a mix of extremists and Trump supporters, some of whom called for the death of Vice President Mike Pence as he presided over the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. The FBI and other federal agencies have warned of the potential for future violence leading up to Biden's inauguration on Wednesday, as white supremacists and other extremists seek to exploit frustration among Trump supporters who have bought into his falsehoods about electoral fraud. Security officials had eyed Sunday as the first major flashpoint, as that is when the anti-government "boogaloo" movement made plans weeks ago to hold rallies in all 50 states. But by late Sunday afternoon, only handfuls of demonstrators had taken to the streets alongside much larger crowds of law enforcement officers and media personnel. As the president-elect prepares to take power in a city where only two weeks earlier Trump supporters launched a violent attempt to overturn the election, Biden faces overlapping crises: not only the pandemic but a struggling economy, climate change, and racial tensions. Biden wants Congress to act quickly on a massive, $1.9-trillion stimulus package to revive the economy, and he plans a blitz to accelerate America's stumbling Covid vaccine rollout. His target of seeing 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine injected within his first 100 days in office is "absolutely" achievable, top US scientist Anthony Fauci told NBC on Sunday. Shadow of uncertainty But the coming Senate impeachment trial, an unprecedented second for Trump, casts a shadow over Biden's path forward. Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have yet to say when the trial will begin. Biden has said he hopes Congress can deal with that stark distraction even while advancing his aggressive agenda. Adding to the uncertainty is a badly riven Republican Party, divided over Trump's false assertions that he won November's election, his fanning of emotions ahead of the deadly Capitol invasion, and on the future direction of the party. A muted celebration Plans for the inauguration, in normal times a bracing, even joyous, tribute to a peaceful transition, had already been scaled-down out of pandemic concerns. Fears of new violence by unyielding Trump supporters after the January 6 riot have cast a further pall. "This will be an inaugural like no other, in large part because of Covid," Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said in an interview aired Sunday on CBS. "But we are going to get sworn in. And we're going to do the job we were hired to do."

President-elect Joe Biden's team lays out inauguration plans as Trump impeachment looms

Guatemalan security forces on Sunday used sticks and tear gas to beat back a large migrant caravan bound for the United States, just days before the advent of a new US&nbsp;administration, which urged travelers to abandon the journey.

Between 7,000 and 8,000 migrants, including families with young children, have entered Guatemala since Friday, authorities say, fleeing poverty and violence in a region hammered by the coronavirus pandemic and back-to-back hurricanes in November.

"Guatemala's message is loud and clear: These types of illegal mass movements (of people) will not be accepted, that's why we are working together with the neighboring nations to address this as a regional issue," the Guatemalan president's office said in emailed comments.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-state-capitals-washington-on-alert-for-possible-pro-donald-trump-armed-protests-357405/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A large section of the caravan clashed early on Sunday with Guatemalan security officials, some 3,000 of whom had mustered by the village of Vado Hondo, about 55 km (34 miles) from the borders of Honduras and El Salvador.

"We want the Guatemalans to let us past," said Joaquin Ortiz, a Honduran in the caravan. "Because we're not leaving here. We're going to carry on. I want to get through because it's horrible in our country. There's nothing in Honduras."

The coronavirus pandemic has battered Honduras' economy, which last year suffered its worst contraction on record.

The large contingent of Guatemalan security officers managed to stop the migrants from advancing beyond Vado Hondo, with perhaps as many as half of the people in the caravan dispersing into the nearby hills or heading back the way they came, according to a Reuters witness.

Elmer Espinal is traveling with his months-old daughter. He said they were tear-gassed by the Guatemalan security forces.

"My daughter almost choked," said Espinal, a Honduran native. "I want a future for my girls ... there's no work over there in Honduras."

Authorities sent buses and trucks for migrants who wanted to voluntarily return home.

"They keep trying to pass, but we're not allowing them to," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala's immigration agency.

Even if the migrants do get past, Mexico is preparing to stop them at its southern border with hundreds of security forces, arguing it must contain the spread of the virus.

Guatemalan authorities said that after administering coronavirus tests, 12 men and 9 women tested positive for COVID-19.

The Honduran foreign ministry in a statement said it "urges Guatemala to investigate and clarify the actions carried out by Guatemalan security forces and once again, reiterates that only united as a region, work should continue to confront illegal migration."

The robust response suggests that Democratic President-elect Joe Biden may initially benefit from the hard-line policies of outgoing Republican President Donald Trump, who made cracking down on illegal immigration a priority of his administration.

Video footage shared by the Guatemalan government showed hundreds of migrants, bounded by a hillside, pressing into a wall of security forces, which used sticks to repel the surge. An unspecified number of people were injured, authorities said.

During the chaotic melee, security forces fired off a tear gas canister and used a stun grenade to disperse the crowd, a Reuters photographer said.

Between Friday and Saturday, Guatemala had sent back almost 1,000 migrants entering from Honduras, the Guatemalan government said, as the caravan tried to advance toward Mexico.

On Saturday evening, the Mexican foreign ministry pressed Central American authorities to halt the caravan's progress, pointing to the need to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Mexico, it said, was committed to orderly and regulated migration and would oppose any form of unauthorized entry.

The first migrant caravan of the year comes less than a week before Biden takes office on Wednesday promising to adopt a more humane approach to migration than Trump.

Still, a Biden transition official, speaking on background, advised people not to make for the United States.

"Overcoming the challenges created by the chaotic and cruel policies of the last four years, and those presented by COVID-19, will take time," said the official.

"In the meantime, the journey to the United States remains extraordinarily dangerous, and those in the region should not believe anyone peddling the lie that our border will be open to everyone next month," the official added.

The incoming administration will work to address the root causes of migration, expand lawful pathways and rethink asylum processing, the official said.

Mexican and Central American authorities have coordinated security and public health measures in a bid to deter mass movement of people across the region.

Guatemalan security forces on Sunday used sticks and tear gas to beat back a large migrant caravan bound for the United States, just days before the advent of a new US administration, which urged travelers to abandon the journey.

Guatemalan security forces on Sunday used sticks and tear gas to beat back a large migrant caravan bound for the United States, just days before the advent of a new US administration, which urged travelers to abandon the journey. Between 7,000 and 8,000 migrants, including families with young children, have entered Guatemala since Friday, authorities say, fleeing poverty and violence in a region hammered by the coronavirus pandemic and back-to-back hurricanes in November. "Guatemala's message is loud and clear: These types of illegal mass movements (of people) will not be accepted, that's why we are working together with the neighboring nations to address this as a regional issue," the Guatemalan president's office said in emailed comments. A large section of the caravan clashed early on Sunday with Guatemalan security officials, some 3,000 of whom had mustered by the village of Vado Hondo, about 55 km (34 miles) from the borders of Honduras and El Salvador. "We want the Guatemalans to let us past," said Joaquin Ortiz, a Honduran in the caravan. "Because we're not leaving here. We're going to carry on. I want to get through because it's horrible in our country. There's nothing in Honduras." The coronavirus pandemic has battered Honduras' economy, which last year suffered its worst contraction on record. The large contingent of Guatemalan security officers managed to stop the migrants from advancing beyond Vado Hondo, with perhaps as many as half of the people in the caravan dispersing into the nearby hills or heading back the way they came, according to a Reuters witness. Elmer Espinal is traveling with his months-old daughter. He said they were tear-gassed by the Guatemalan security forces. "My daughter almost choked," said Espinal, a Honduran native. "I want a future for my girls ... there's no work over there in Honduras." Authorities sent buses and trucks for migrants who wanted to voluntarily return home. "They keep trying to pass, but we're not allowing them to," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala's immigration agency. Even if the migrants do get past, Mexico is preparing to stop them at its southern border with hundreds of security forces, arguing it must contain the spread of the virus. Guatemalan authorities said that after administering coronavirus tests, 12 men and 9 women tested positive for COVID-19. The Honduran foreign ministry in a statement said it "urges Guatemala to investigate and clarify the actions carried out by Guatemalan security forces and once again, reiterates that only united as a region, work should continue to confront illegal migration." The robust response suggests that Democratic President-elect Joe Biden may initially benefit from the hard-line policies of outgoing Republican President Donald Trump, who made cracking down on illegal immigration a priority of his administration. Video footage shared by the Guatemalan government showed hundreds of migrants, bounded by a hillside, pressing into a wall of security forces, which used sticks to repel the surge. An unspecified number of people were injured, authorities said. During the chaotic melee, security forces fired off a tear gas canister and used a stun grenade to disperse the crowd, a Reuters photographer said. Between Friday and Saturday, Guatemala had sent back almost 1,000 migrants entering from Honduras, the Guatemalan government said, as the caravan tried to advance toward Mexico. On Saturday evening, the Mexican foreign ministry pressed Central American authorities to halt the caravan's progress, pointing to the need to contain the spread of COVID-19. Mexico, it said, was committed to orderly and regulated migration and would oppose any form of unauthorized entry. The first migrant caravan of the year comes less than a week before Biden takes office on Wednesday promising to adopt a more humane approach to migration than Trump. Still, a Biden transition official, speaking on background, advised people not to make for the United States. "Overcoming the challenges created by the chaotic and cruel policies of the last four years, and those presented by COVID-19, will take time," said the official. "In the meantime, the journey to the United States remains extraordinarily dangerous, and those in the region should not believe anyone peddling the lie that our border will be open to everyone next month," the official added. The incoming administration will work to address the root causes of migration, expand lawful pathways and rethink asylum processing, the official said. Mexican and Central American authorities have coordinated security and public health measures in a bid to deter mass movement of people across the region.

Guatemalan forces clash with migrant caravan, Biden team seeks to halt exodus

With just 5 days left for the Biden Inauguration, Washington D.C. has turned into a war zone. The ceremony will be a remote affair but there is no scaling back on entertainment. Several Hollywood stars are expected to perform.

Gravitas: 5 days to go for Joe Biden's inauguration

President-elect Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter handle to build his following before taking command of White House accounts on&nbsp;Inauguration Day.

Biden's account has just one tweet and it has already been verified by social networking platform Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Folks — This will be the account for my official duties as President. At 12:01 PM on January 20th, it will become <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>. Until then, I'll be using <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a>. And while you're here, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUSBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUSBiden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SenKamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenKamalaHarris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SecondGentleman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecondGentleman</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Transition46?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Transition46</a>.
— President-elect Biden (@PresElectBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresElectBiden/status/1349918127413407747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Twitter&nbsp;Inc on Thursday said it will transfer institutional White House&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;accounts to Biden administration when the US&nbsp;President-elect swears in on January 20.

Twitter&nbsp;said it will facilitate the transfer of institutional White House&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;accounts including, @WhiteHouse, @POTUS, @VP, @FLOTUS, and @PressSec, adding those accounts will not automatically retain the followers from the prior administration.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;the Trump administration’s&nbsp;@POTUS&nbsp;account will be publicly archived as @POTUS45, just as the Obama administration’s account was archived as&nbsp;@POTUS44.

Earlier,&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on Wednesday that banning President Donald Trump from its social media platform after last week's violence at the U.S. Capitol was the "right decision," but said it sets a dangerous precedent.

San Francisco-based&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;last week removed Trump's account, which had 88 million followers, citing the risk of further violence following the storming of the Capitol by supporters of the president.

Trump's refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 has infuriated allies and opponents alike.

President-elect Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter handle to build his following before taking command of White House accounts on Inauguration Day. Biden's account has just one tweet and it has already been verified by social networking platform Twitter.

President-elect Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter handle to build his following before taking command of White House accounts on Inauguration Day. Biden's account has just one tweet and it has already been verified by social networking platform Twitter. Folks — This will be the account for my official duties as President. At 12:01 PM on January 20th, it will become @POTUS. Until then, I'll be using @JoeBiden. And while you're here, follow @FLOTUSBiden @SenKamalaHarris @SecondGentleman and @Transition46. — President-elect Biden (@PresElectBiden) January 15, 2021 × Twitter Inc on Thursday said it will transfer institutional White House Twitter accounts to Biden administration when the US President-elect swears in on January 20. Twitter said it will facilitate the transfer of institutional White House Twitter accounts including, @WhiteHouse, @POTUS, @VP, @FLOTUS, and @PressSec, adding those accounts will not automatically retain the followers from the prior administration. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s @POTUS account will be publicly archived as @POTUS45, just as the Obama administration’s account was archived as @POTUS44. Earlier, Twitter Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said on Wednesday that banning President Donald Trump from its social media platform after last week's violence at the U.S. Capitol was the "right decision," but said it sets a dangerous precedent. San Francisco-based Twitter last week removed Trump's account, which had 88 million followers, citing the risk of further violence following the storming of the Capitol by supporters of the president. Trump's refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 has infuriated allies and opponents alike.

Verified in one tweet: Joe Biden launches new Twitter handle to build following before taking command of White House

Ahead of president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in the United States, the centre of Washington was put on lockdown with over 20,000 armed National Guard troops on the streets days after the violence in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inside-the-capitol-for-impeachment-national-guard-in-every-corner-356655">Capitol </a>which stunned the nation.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trumps-post-presidency-plans-356774/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Police chief Robert Contee said the country's capital was facing &nbsp;"a major security threat" with downtown Washington off-limits to traffic.

Amid the unprecedented security, reports said the US Secret Service is contemplating shutdown of the entire National Mall running from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial where people traditionally gather to celebrate the inauguration of a new president.

US officials had earlier warned of armed protests in Washington and all 50 states by pro-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-the-city-that-made-donald-trump-ends-ties-with-him-356776">Trump </a>supporters with some law enforcement officials saying that the violence to spill beyond Washington.

US airlines United Airlines, Delta and American have announced that they will not allow travellers flying to Washington area airports to check firearms on their flights.

National railroad service Amtrak informed that it was deploying additional police officers on its trains.

However, Vice President Mike Pence assured the nation that his administration will ensure a "safe inauguration".

"We're going to ensure that we have a safe inauguration and that president-elect Joe Biden, vice president-elect Kamala Harris are sworn in as the new president and vice president," Pence said in his first public appearance since the January 6 violence at the Capitol.

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that he was "concerned about the potential for violence at multiple protests and rallies planned here in DC and at state capitol buildings around the country."

Ahead of president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in the United States, the centre of Washington was put on lockdown with over 20,000 armed National Guard troops on the streets days after the violence in Capitol which stunned the nation.

Ahead of president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in the United States, the centre of Washington was put on lockdown with over 20,000 armed National Guard troops on the streets days after the violence in Capitol which stunned the nation. Watch: Police chief Robert Contee said the country's capital was facing "a major security threat" with downtown Washington off-limits to traffic. Amid the unprecedented security, reports said the US Secret Service is contemplating shutdown of the entire National Mall running from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial where people traditionally gather to celebrate the inauguration of a new president. US officials had earlier warned of armed protests in Washington and all 50 states by pro-Trump supporters with some law enforcement officials saying that the violence to spill beyond Washington. US airlines United Airlines, Delta and American have announced that they will not allow travellers flying to Washington area airports to check firearms on their flights. National railroad service Amtrak informed that it was deploying additional police officers on its trains. However, Vice President Mike Pence assured the nation that his administration will ensure a "safe inauguration". "We're going to ensure that we have a safe inauguration and that president-elect Joe Biden, vice president-elect Kamala Harris are sworn in as the new president and vice president," Pence said in his first public appearance since the January 6 violence at the Capitol. FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that he was "concerned about the potential for violence at multiple protests and rallies planned here in DC and at state capitol buildings around the country."

Ahead of Biden's inauguration, Washington on lockdown amid security threat

National Guard troops who are flooding into Washington to secure the Capitol for Inauguration Day will be armed, the Army secretary, Ryan McCarthy, has decided, Defense Department officials said Tuesday.

The armed troops will be responsible for security around the Capitol building complex, the officials said.

As up to 15,000 troops continued to arrive in Washington from all over the country, Defense Department officials had been weighing whether to deploy them with arms. McCarthy has decided that at the very least those around the Capitol building will carry weapons, said the officials, who confirmed the decision on the condition of anonymity.

McCarthy’s decision came after a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi, according to congressional staff members, demanded that the Pentagon take a more muscular posture after a mob, egged on by President Donald Trump last week, breached the Capitol.

Pentagon officials say they are worried about protests that are planned for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden next week. About 16 groups — some of them saying they will be armed and most of them made up of hard-line supporters of Trump — have registered to stage protests in Washington, officials said.

One Defense Department official said law enforcement agencies are planning for a range of outcomes, including a worst-case scenario in which people with firearms try to attack dignitaries, “suicide-type aircraft” try to fly into the capital’s restricted airspace and even remote-controlled drones that could be used to attack the crowd.

While those scenarios are among the more extreme, the officials said they were particularly worried about the possibility of multiple, violent confrontations, including with firearms, simultaneously flaring up around the inaugural dignitaries.

Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington sent a letter to Trump on Sunday asking for an emergency declaration to obtain additional funding for inauguration security.

“In light of the attack on the Capitol and intelligence suggesting further violence is likely during the inaugural period, my administration has re-evaluated our preparedness posture for the inauguration, including requesting the extension of D.C. National Guard support through Jan. 24, 2021,” Bowser wrote.

Defense Department officials said that the White House had signed off on the decision to arm some of the National Guard troops coming to Washington to provide security. Pentagon officials have underscored that the National Guard — not active-duty military troops — will be assigned to those duties.

Defense Department officials said that even the National Guard troops who were not directly supporting the Capitol complex, but were stationed elsewhere in the Washington area, would not be far from their weapons.

“We want our individuals to have the right to self-defence,” Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said Monday during a telephone news conference. “If senior leadership determines that that’s the right posture to be in, then that is something we will do.”

All the National Guard troops coming to Washington, he said, are bringing their weapons with them.

The National Guard is expected to officially announce the arming of some of the troops Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. The decision is important because in the past, federal and local officials have shied away from militarizing the Capitol.

But the riots last week have brought into sharp focus the potential dangers that lawmakers and, potentially, the next president, face from supporters of Trump, who has continued to falsely claim that he, not Biden, won the election.

National Guard troops who are flooding into Washington to secure the Capitol for Inauguration Day will be armed, the Army secretary, Ryan McCarthy, has decided, Defense Department officials said Tuesday.

National Guard troops who are flooding into Washington to secure the Capitol for Inauguration Day will be armed, the Army secretary, Ryan McCarthy, has decided, Defense Department officials said Tuesday. The armed troops will be responsible for security around the Capitol building complex, the officials said. As up to 15,000 troops continued to arrive in Washington from all over the country, Defense Department officials had been weighing whether to deploy them with arms. McCarthy has decided that at the very least those around the Capitol building will carry weapons, said the officials, who confirmed the decision on the condition of anonymity. McCarthy’s decision came after a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi, according to congressional staff members, demanded that the Pentagon take a more muscular posture after a mob, egged on by President Donald Trump last week, breached the Capitol. Pentagon officials say they are worried about protests that are planned for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden next week. About 16 groups — some of them saying they will be armed and most of them made up of hard-line supporters of Trump — have registered to stage protests in Washington, officials said. One Defense Department official said law enforcement agencies are planning for a range of outcomes, including a worst-case scenario in which people with firearms try to attack dignitaries, “suicide-type aircraft” try to fly into the capital’s restricted airspace and even remote-controlled drones that could be used to attack the crowd. While those scenarios are among the more extreme, the officials said they were particularly worried about the possibility of multiple, violent confrontations, including with firearms, simultaneously flaring up around the inaugural dignitaries. Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington sent a letter to Trump on Sunday asking for an emergency declaration to obtain additional funding for inauguration security. “In light of the attack on the Capitol and intelligence suggesting further violence is likely during the inaugural period, my administration has re-evaluated our preparedness posture for the inauguration, including requesting the extension of D.C. National Guard support through Jan. 24, 2021,” Bowser wrote. Defense Department officials said that the White House had signed off on the decision to arm some of the National Guard troops coming to Washington to provide security. Pentagon officials have underscored that the National Guard — not active-duty military troops — will be assigned to those duties. Defense Department officials said that even the National Guard troops who were not directly supporting the Capitol complex, but were stationed elsewhere in the Washington area, would not be far from their weapons. “We want our individuals to have the right to self-defence,” Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said Monday during a telephone news conference. “If senior leadership determines that that’s the right posture to be in, then that is something we will do.” All the National Guard troops coming to Washington, he said, are bringing their weapons with them. The National Guard is expected to officially announce the arming of some of the troops Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. The decision is important because in the past, federal and local officials have shied away from militarizing the Capitol. But the riots last week have brought into sharp focus the potential dangers that lawmakers and, potentially, the next president, face from supporters of Trump, who has continued to falsely claim that he, not Biden, won the election.

Pentagon to arm National Guard troops deploying to Capitol for inauguration