Washington, D.C. – The first evident signs of security measures for Friday’s presidential inauguration soon will be obvious — parking restrictions commence Wednesday in the District’s downtown. Streets will start closing on Thursday.
Nearly one million people will attend to watch Donald Trump get sworn in as the next president.
“We know of no specific, credible threat directed toward the inauguration,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said. But he said lack of a threat “is only part of the story.”
Pence announced Sunday he will be taking his oath on Ronald Reagan’s family Bible. Reagan motivated Pence to leave behind the Democratic politics he grew up in through his Irish Catholic family and become a Republican. “He set out to change a nation and in doing so, he changed the world,” Pence said in a statement
Security Precautions
44 states, along with the District of Columbia, will deploy more than 7,500 National Guard soldiers and airmen to help with security. More than 3,200 police officers from across the country have also volunteered.
Johnson said there will be some 28,000 officials dedicated to security for the inauguration, including Department of Homeland Security personnel from the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Coast Guard, as well as police from various departments in Washington, D.C..
Performers
Toby Keith and 3 Doors Down are just two of the acts performing at Trump’s ceremony. The concert has been dubbed “The Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.” It will take place at the Lincoln Memorial on January 19. Additionally, ‘God Bless the U.S.A’ singer Lee Greenwood is scheduled to perform for the 1 million plus attendees.
Protesting Donald Trump
Security officials said there are 63 demonstration groups, pro and con, expected on Jan. 20, and an additional 36 on other days.
DisruptJ20 has plans for “massive resistance” with rallies and marches. The collection of protesters plans a permitted, family-friendly gathering, as well as what it calls “unpermitted anti-capitalist marches,” some targeting as many a dozen security checkpoints alongside the parade route and others crashing inaugural balls.