On inauguration day, plans for heavy security, big protests

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Law enforcement officials are in the final stages of sealing off a heavily fortified security zone encompassing the Capitol and the historic National Mall as they prepare for the inauguration Friday and the substantial protests it is expected to attract.

In addition to the usual range of threats, officials from federal, state and local agencies are preparing this year for what they say could be large-scale protests aimed at disrupting the ceremony and registering disapproval of Donald Trump’s presidency at the moment the world is watching his ascension to office.

The nexus of those threats are making this week’s festivities the most difficult security challenge since the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009, which drew a record crowd estimated at 1.8 million to the city and prompted at least one eventually discredited foreign threat, officials said.

Intelligence agencies said they knew of no credible threat to the inauguration or surrounding events, but that had not stopped the security teams from deploying at full capacity.

During a preinaugural dinner in Washington on Tuesday, Mr. Trump predicted his swearing in ceremony would draw a “record” crowd and praised a group of motorcycle riders he said would protect his celebration from protesters.

Government officials say they see no evidence to support that claim.

Instead, they are planning for a crowd of 700,000 to 900,000 people, though officials cautioned that the number could swing up or down depending on the weather.

A crowd within that range would be typical for the swearing-in of a new president. Mr. Trump is seen as clearly caring about posting a big number.

In a video ad posted on social media Wednesday, he said: “Hopefully we’re going to get a million people. We’re going to really make a big statement.”

But this time, reflecting the nation’s deep and persistent political divisions, those spectators attending the inauguration are expected to be joined in Washington by thousands of others who are planning demonstrations for and against Mr. Trump.

The largest demonstration should come Saturday, when hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in the Women’s March on Washington, even as requests by women who oppose abortion to be officially included in the march are being spurned.