Following a campaign season that saw now President-elect Donald Trump survive multiple assassination attempts, his inauguration next week is expected to have unprecedented security measures, per reports.
In fact, Axios said that the event next Monday “will feature some of the most stringent security measures ever taken for a national security event.” These features will include 30 miles of anti-scale fencing, the most ever installed for an inauguration, according to the outlet.
It also reported that 250,000 ticketed guests are expected to attend, as well as thousands more, citing comments from Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger at a press conference this Monday. The following day, the U.S Capitol Police released a list of items prohibited at the event, from aerosol cans and balloons to umbrellas.
Kelly Loeffler and Steve Witkoff announced the schedule for the event in a press release this week cited by POLITICO, starting Saturday and ending with a prayer service next Tuesday. FOX News also announced its coverage schedule for the inauguration and country music star Carrie Underwood confirmed that she will be performing.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said in a statement to PEOPLE magazine. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
A Monday press release from the D.C. mayor’s office explained that, since the inauguration is a National Special Security Event (NSSE), federal and local partners join to provide safety under the lead of the United States Secret Service. As a former president, Trump has had Secret Service protection since he last left office. In the wake of assassination attempts last year – including one in Pennsylvania, another in Florida and one that was thrawrted in California – the agency has been under scrutiny and its acting director said in September that it needed a “paradigm shift.”
“The NSSE designation allows significant federal, state, and local resources to be deployed, ensuring a robust security plan,” said the D.C. mayor’s office Monday. “District public safety agencies and federal partners have spent nearly a year developing the inaugural security plan.”
With days to go until the event, the mayor’s office said that some additional security measures were already going into place. It said the public should notice high visibility patrols, fencing and barriers.
“There are no law enforcement agencies more unified than those entrusted with securing the Presidential Inauguration,” said Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith. “Our entire department will be activated for the Presidential Inauguration. In addition, we’ll be reinforced by thousands of officers from across the United States who were generous enough to raise their hand and commit their time to assist Metropolitan Police Department.”
According to the Axios report, more than 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel will arrive in D.C. to help provide security for the event. These will include 4,000 officers coming in from other cities and 7,800 National Guard members. Drones will help assist surveillance, Axios added.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg said that leading up to and during the event, special agents, intelligence analysts and other personnel will also be working to assess and share intelligence.
“The security of the 2025 Presidential Inauguration is truly a team effort and we have been working closely with our law enforcement and public safety partners on a comprehensive security plan,” said Matt McCool, the Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and security of our protectees, dignitaries, event attendees and the public during the Inauguration.”