The Secret Service first took complete command of the inauguration and all participating agencies in 1996 when it was designated a National Special Security Event. The world's most heavy-duty ambulance was ready to smash its way through anything, as were four vans and a custom cargo truck.Īs Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their families walked the last block to their new workplace, each was shadowed by at least 20 Secret Service agents, most with high-caliber weapons tucked beneath black coats. Eighteen armored suburban trucks were filled with agents. The president's armored limousine, “The Beast,” was trailed by six duplicates ready to scatter and confuse any attackers. The double phalanx of police motorcycles was much smaller than normal, with a modest drum corps marching between them. He broke tradition and bypassed the parade route almost entirely, leading the motorcade to Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before returning to the security zone to drive the last few blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue. COVID-19 restrictions had already shrunk the event to a few hundred soldiers and one college marching band, but President Joe Biden didn't even join them. Portland Police made eight arrests in one of the few protests to materialize despite grave concerns that all 50 state capitols could be attacked January 20.Ī vocal minority always has something important to shout at the inaugural parade, but this year the president couldn't see them at all. “We are ungovernable” was one sign among the more than 100 protesters. This year Portland, Oregon was the focus of similar attacks, where the state Democratic Party Headquarters and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office were vandalized. Prosecutors say they couldn't prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt, largely because most defendants wore black face coverings. Attorney dropped charges against 168 more. A judge dismissed charges against seven defendants, a jury acquitted four others and, in 2018, the U.S. Of the 240 arrested that year, only one person served any time – four months. Later bricks were hurled at police who fought back with batons, tear gas and flash grenades. One VIP parade entrance was shut down after being pummeled by hundreds of bricks pried from a meridian. In 2017 that damage was estimated at $100,000, mostly of private property. It was the only other inauguration this century where no roving rioters damaged property. No one was arrested as two million people radiated optimism to welcome Barack Obama. New bolts armored that Achilles heel and by 2009 the entire parade route was firmly enclosed. 2005 saw the first use of 7-foot tall climb-resistant metal fencing, but aggressive protesters managed to dismantle one portion before being repelled by police with pepper spray and clubs. Temporary chain-link fences simply weren't strong enough, and too few agents tried to defend 3-foot barriers against throngs of determined protesters. That was also the first year the Secret Service tried (and failed) to completely control who could stand along Pennsylvania Avenue and its parade. That's where, 20 years ago, self-described anarchists fought police after replacing an American flag with their own banner. We wanted to see if it was possible to do that and also meet security needs.” So no more than 100 people cleared checkpoints and metal detectors to be escorted by National Parks Police to both John Marshall Park and the Navy Memorial. National Mall Superintendent Jeff Reingold explained, “We are the premier First Amendment area in the country. Most moved elsewhere, but two local leftist groups were permitted spots along Pennsylvania Avenue to push the new president to be more progressive. Three days after the Januattack on the Capitol, Mayor Bowser asked for expansion of the security zone and cancellation of all public events and protests on nearby federal property. “We saw white extremists storm our capitol building who were trained and organized, and seemingly with the intent to capture the Vice President of the United States and perhaps harm other lawmakers.”įor this year’s Inauguration the entire National Mall was fenced and off-limits, as were the Smithsonian buildings and all major monuments. “They will come down just as quick as they went up,” she said, but the threat is real. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she doesn't like fences. “The bigger challenge,” she added, “is how to address the ongoing threat of violence aimed not just at election-related events, but at overthrowing the government or other apocalyptic objectives, and to do so in a manner consistent with the Constitution.”ĭ.C.
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