Washington Prepares for 60th Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON—Anti-scale fences are up, roadblocks are ready, and driving will be like navigating a maze as the nation’s capital prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

Trump’s inaugural team has put together a weekend of celebratory events that will feature performances by music stars, including Carrie Underwood, the Village People, Kid Rock, and Lee Greenwood.

The 60th Presidential Inauguration ceremony will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda due to a frigid forecast, with temperatures expected to drop to 10 degrees.

President Ronald Reagan had to go that route in 1985 when freezing temperatures descended upon the District and its environs.

DC’s Capitol One Arena will be open for those who want to watch the events indoors and will host the Presidential Parade. All other events will take place as planned.

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The National Mall may still be filled with hundreds of thousands of people braving the cold—more than 250,000 ticketed attendees were expected, according to authorities.

Local law enforcement and city officials are confident they are thoroughly prepped for the event.

Beefed-Up Security

Around the Capitol building, extra security measures have been in place for a while.

Over the last two weeks, the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and Congress’s return from winter break have brought foreign dignitaries and heads of state to Washington.

Visitors to the Capitol will have noted the extra, temporary fencing surrounding the area, with more to be added, totaling 30 miles of anti-scale fencing.

Members of the public attending the swearing-in ceremony will be required to pass through security checkpoints.

“For residents and businesses, most of the impact of the inauguration will be felt in the area directly around the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, the Convention Center, and around Union Station,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a Jan. 13 press conference.

In addition to miles of fencing, road closures will begin on Sunday morning, Jan. 19, further restricting the areas mentioned by Bowser.

“We encourage people to show up early just because of the size of the crowds we expect,” said Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.

“The biggest threat for all of us remains the lone actor.”

According to FBI agent David Sundberg, the assistant director in charge of the Washington bureau, there are currently no credible threats to the Capitol ahead of the inauguration.

Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool laid out the robust security enhancements ahead of the inauguration, including the use of drones and increased security cameras.

“Visible and invisible” reinforcements will be deployed: more than 25,000 law enforcement officers will be in the District that day, including extra Secret Service agents and 7,800 National Guard.

Flights in area airports will also be restricted.

These extra measures show “that the resolve of the Secret Service and our partners has never been stronger,” McCool told reporters.

Protests Expected

Approximately 10,000 protesters are expected on Inauguration Day as part of a national “We Fight Back” demonstration.

On Jan. 18, “The People’s March” is expected to draw 25,000 participants, according to authorities.

It is unclear how many will brave the weather that day. The Capitol police chief told The Epoch Times that his officers are “prepared” for violent protests.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith said areas outside the inauguration perimeter will be patrolled.

“Please note the MPD will ensure your right to peacefully protest and assemble. However, I want to reiterate, as I always have, that violence, destruction, and unlawful behavior will not be tolerated,” she said.

The Metro system will open at 4 a.m., but six stations—McPherson Square, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, Archives-Navy Memorial, Mt. Vernon Sq., and the Pentagon Metrorail station—will close completely.

Other stations—Farragut West, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Union Station, and Metro Center—will remain open, although some entrances will be sealed.

Clark also said to expect increased police presence on that day, as outside transit authority assistance from 15 other locations across the country will be brought in to help.

For additional information and real-time alerts on the weather, public safety, traffic, and more:

DC Inauguration Messages: Text DCINAUG to 888-777

Visit inauguration.dc.gov.

Nathan Worcester contributed to this story.