He expressed concern for the safety of attendees, writing:
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt or injured. The conditions are dangerous for the thousands of law enforcement officers, first responders, K9 units, horses, and the hundreds of thousands of supporters who would be outside for hours. If you decide to come, dress warmly.”
Trump included screenshots from the National Weather Service, which forecasted wind chills as low as -12°C.
To accommodate the public, live streams of the ceremony will be set up at the nearby Capital One Arena, allowing people to watch the proceedings without enduring the harsh weather.
Security Measures Heightened
The change in venue has also fueled speculation among Trump’s supporters, with some suggesting the extreme weather explanation is a cover for heightened security concerns.
On the campaign trail, Trump survived two assassination attempts, one of which left him injured when he was shot in the ear.
Following these incidents and concerns over a lapse in Secret Service protection, authorities have implemented an unprecedented security operation for the inauguration. The effort includes:
- 25,000 security responders led by the U.S. Secret Service.
- Collaboration among 40 agencies, including the FBI, local police, and the military.
- Concrete barriers, non-scalable fences, and garbage trucks to prevent unauthorized entry.
- 30 miles of climb-resistant fencing around the Capitol.
- Local law enforcement will be boosted by 4,000 reinforcements from other agencies across the country, and by 7,800 National Guard soldiers
- The use of drones, K-9 units and police robots will monitor crowds and check for hazardous materials.
Residents in Washington, D.C., noticed these security measures being put into place days before the event, signaling the high level of precaution.
