FEAR AND RESOLVE IN US CAPITAL BRACED FOR BIDEN SWEARING-IN
▶ Washington residents, businesses and law enforcement prepare for an unusually tense inauguration
A black metal fence surrounds the US Capitol building. Behind the grated alloy, US National Guard troops stand idle.
Their presence a week before the inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris is unusual but not surprising.
It is a show of force meant to deter any new attempts at protest or insurrection.
Only a week ago, a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the building and ransacked the halls of the world’s oldest democracy.
The breach of the Capitol shook the country to its core.
“I just wanted to see that democracy was still standing,” said Pamela Lessard, 53. The fitness professional brought her 21-year-old daughter, Haley Gross, to the Washington Mall for a glimpse of the aftermath of last week’s events.
“We live nearby. We could hear the sirens as we were sitting in our home. We were watching everything happen on TV and we were probably as stunned as most people.”
The images of the president’s supporters charging through the building disturbed many. “It was hard for me to watch,” Bryan Ribis said. “It was terrifying. I’m originally from Boston, so when I saw it, it reminded me of the Boston Marathon bombing.”
Ms Lessard and her daughter were equally appalled.
“I thought it was disgusting, despicable, frightening. I lived overseas in my youth. I lived through coups, I lived through an embassy attack, it was very reminiscent of that. I never thought I’d see it in my own country,” Ms Lessard said.
For her daughter Hayley, it raised memories of the school shootings her generation lived through.
“The first thing that came to mind was, I saw all the aides sheltering in place and it felt very reminiscent of growing up around here and having lockdown drills.” Like many across the city, the women said they are worried more riots could take place, especially on Wednesday, when Mr Biden and Ms Harris are due to be sworn into office.
There are 6,200 National Guard troops from six states stationed in Washington, and that number will swell to at least 10,000 by inauguration day. The head of the National Guard, Daniel Hokanson, said he has authorisation to bring in as many as 15,000 troops.
The increase in troops is at the behest of US Capitol Police, who are responsible for protecting the Capitol building, as well as the US Secret Service and National Park Police.
The Washington Metropolitan Police, the local city police force, have started closing streets and erecting barriers.
“Allow for additional travel time in and around downtown,” the Mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, tweeted on Tuesday. While the capital city is expected to be the centre of demonstrations, the FBI has warned police around the country to brace for protests on inaugu
ration day. An internal bureau bulletin, first reported by ABC News, stated nationwide protests could occur in the week leading up to the event.
The FBI believes some of the protesters planning demonstrations may be members of domestic extremist groups.
It said armed protests were being planned at state capitols in all 50 US states from as soon as this Saturday. Even before the January 6 riot, Mr Biden’s transition team was planning
a toned down ceremony due to Covid-19, and instead encouraged Americans to enjoy the event online. While there will still be some traditional in-person events, such as the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Biden’s presidential inaugural committee has planned a parade to be streamed online.
In Washington, some residents are trying to do their bit to avoid a repeat of last week’s insurrection. People who rent out their homes on websites such
as Airbnb said they will remove their short-term listings during inauguration week.
Ms Lessard hopes the welloiled machinery of US democracy will prevail.
“I would like to see a safe democratic transition of power,” she said. “I’m looking forward to having Biden and Harris in office. I hope eventually these fences come down because this city is a jewel and I don’t like seeing fences, but we need them right now.”