Law enforcement: We’ll be ready for Joe Biden’s inauguration

WASHINGTON — The inauguration of Presidentelect Joe Biden will be held in the same spot at the U.S. Capitol where a violent, proTrump mob descended last week. But the two events aren’t comparable from a security standpoint, said Michael Plati, U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge, who is leading the inauguration security.

The inauguration is designated a “national special security event,” which clears the way for communication, funding and preparation between multiple agencies in Washington, including Capitol Police, Pentagon, Homeland Security and District-area police. Other such events are the State of the Union, the Super Bowl, and the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

Last week’s rally-turned-violent-siege was viewed as a free speech event in the days before, despite multiple warnings about the potential for violence. Egged on by President Donald Trump and his repeated attempts to delegitimize Biden’s win, the violent mob marched from the White House to the Capitol, where they occupied the building for hours in a bid to stop lawmakers from certifying Biden’s win. Five people died, including a police officer. Two explosive devices were found, but they did not go off.

“I don’t want to use the expression that we’re comparing apples to oranges,” Plati said, but the event is planned over a year with contingencies, and they anticipate the possibility of extreme violence.

Biden himself hasn’t expressed concern about his own security at the inauguration. “I’m not afraid of taking the oath outside,” he told reporters Monday.