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Washington increases security measures

2025-01-04 15:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Law enforcement and security agencies in Washington and the surrounding area are mobilizing reinforcements as they prepare to secure three major events in the nation's capital. These developments come in the wake of the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans and the explosion of Tesla's Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.

The first event will be held on Monday, when the new Congress meets to certify the result of the presidential election, four years after the riots of January 6, 2021 in the Capitol.

The second event will be the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, beginning with ceremonies beginning Tuesday and ending Thursday.

The last event will be on January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated.

"It has never happened before. We have three (special national security) activities within a period of 15 days," Matt McCool, from the Washington office of the Secret Service, told reporters on Friday.

"But I want to tell you that we adapt to the needs. We have been working for years for such activities. So we will be prepared," he said.

Despite the concerns created after the attack in New Orleans and the explosion in Las Vegas, security officials are so far confident that the activities in Washington will take place safely.

"We don't have any credible or concrete threats related to these activities," said David Sundberg, assistant director in the FBI's Washington office.

Law enforcement and security agencies have taken increased measures, considering that the city and the region are facing an environment of increased risk.

The Secret Service said Friday it was bringing in agents from around the country to boost the presence, which was already at its highest level in three years.

Washington's Metropolitan Police Department said it has added about 4,000 officers from various departments around the country.

The capital's National Guard confirmed it has approved requests for further support, including making 500 more guardsmen available to certify the January 6 election and liaison officers for the state funeral.

An additional request for 7,800 additional Guard members to secure President-elect Trump's inauguration is also being considered.

"A host of security measures, visible and invisible, will be taken in coordination to ensure the smooth operation of the comprehensive plan," said Secret Service agent McCool.

Washington police announced that the increased security measures will go into effect on Sunday. Specialized officers will be deployed throughout the city to be on standby in case of any emergency.

The Capitol Police, which has 2,400 officers and civilian employees who are responsible for protecting the Capitol and members of Congress, announced that it is now better prepared for emergencies than it was four years ago./ Voa