Capitol.Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. defense officials say state leaders have made it clear that their priority is to protect their own capitals, which are on alert against violent protests or attacks, but they also have given assurances that they will have enough troops to send some support to the U.S. The length of their missions may vary, but Defense Department officials were authorized to deploy the Guard for up to 30 days for the inauguration and surrounding protests. But officials said Thursday that law enforcement had requested many more, and the number approved by the Pentagon is now 21,000.Īs of Thursday, there were roughly 7,000 already in the city, with thousands more en route. Police Chief Robert Contee estimated Wednesday that more than 20,000 National Guard members would be active in the city on Inauguration Day. But generally speaking, troops can use lethal force to protect the lives of others and themselves.ĭ.C. National Guard members operate under strict rules of engagement on the use of force. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss security details. Pentagon officials approved requests to have some of them carry either long guns or handguns, particularly those assigned near the Capitol building. On the ground, much of the most visible security will come in the form of the National Guard troops, some of them armed. ![]() “We are continuing our work to ensure hate group members are not part of the Airbnb community.” “We are aware of reports emerging yesterday afternoon regarding armed militias and known hate groups that are attempting to travel and disrupt the Inauguration,” a company statement said. Bowser said she had been in regular contact with Airbnb officials since last week, but did not specifically request this step. On Wednesday, Airbnb announced it was canceling all reservations in the Washington metro area. “If hotels do not willingly close, we ask Mayor Bowser to extend today’s emergency order and close all hotels in the city.” “Closing hotels completely for these six nights is the only way to guarantee the safety of hotel workers, neighbors, vulnerable and unhoused residents, incoming administration officials, members of Congress, and our democracy,” the statement said. Several downtown hotels, including one which had become a favorite hangout of the militant Proud Boy faction, chose to avoid trouble by closing last week. In addition to the threat of violence, the activist groups say Trump supporters are a threat to the health of hotel staff for their general refusal to wear facemasks during the pandemic. The local Black Lives Matter affiliate and Shutdown DC issued a joint statement Wednesday urging all downtown hotels to voluntarily close and pay their staffs. residents to avoid the downtown area entirely, and the city announced that 13 Metro stations inside the security perimeter will shut down for several days.īowser is also being pushed to deny lodging options to potentially violent protesters. ![]() Starting Friday, all parking garages in the downtown restricted zone will be sealed through the inauguration. Starting Wednesday, Bowser said, anyone inside the inauguration perimeter might be stopped and questioned. on Wednesday, causing immediate traffic snarls. Police vehicles sealed off a huge swath of downtown D.C. But it’s rare to start the lockdown so far in advance of the event. The NSSE status is normal for a presidential inauguration and other major events like an international summit or the Super Bowl.
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