Washington: President-elect Joe Biden has been briefed by federal officials on the security concerns regarding his inauguration on January 20 in the wake of the January 6 Capitol violence, according to his transition team.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the team said: “President-elect Biden received a briefing from senior officials at the FBI, the US Secret Service, and key members of his national security team.
“The team is engaging with the current administration to gain as much information as possible on the threat picture, and on the preparations being put in place to deter and defend against violent disruptions or attacks.”
The transition team’s announcement comes in the wake of FBI’s warning about plans of armed protests from January 16 through January 20 at the US Capitol in Washington D.C. and all the 50 state capitols.
The transition team, however, did not provide specific details about the contents of the briefing, The Hill news website reported.
On Wednesday, the Secret Service began imposing special security measures for the inauguration. At least 20, 000 National Guard troops are expected to be deployed in Washington D.C. The National Mall will be closed to the public on inauguration day and maybe even before. People are being encouraged not to come to DC to attend the inauguration which in any case was scaled down because of the pandemic. AirBnb has cancelled all reservations in the capital around that time. Airlines will not allow arms to be in checked in baggage.
