January 19, 2021
2 mins read

Washington preps for Biden’s inauguration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZrQbeDVkSw

The Capitol area of Washington hunkering down under a pall of fear was put in a lockdown on Monday when a fire broke out in a camp of homeless people near the site of Wednesday’s inauguration of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president.

A rehearsal for the inauguration — the swearing-in ceremony — was disrupted when the fire and explosions happened, but it was not found to be a security threat as only propane tanks at the camp exploded from the accidental fire.

Neither Biden nor Harris was at the rehearsal.

The military band and others participating in the rehearsal were ordered to take shelter in a secure area.

The lockdown was lifted after the fire was not considered a threat by officials.

The heart of the city looks like an armed camp with about 15,000 National Guard troops deployed in response to the storming of the Capitol by some of President Donald Trump’s supporters on January 6 and the breakdown of security. About 10,000 more are expected.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned of threats from extremists to Washington and state capitals around the country before and during the inauguration.

The presence of some police and other security personnel as well as several ex-service personnel at the attack on Congress has raised fears that the troops deployed for inaugural security may themselves be a security threat.

The FBI and other agencies have been vetting the National Guard at the request of the Defence Department.

National Guard Commanding General William Walker told Fox News TV the vetting was a matter of “abundance of caution” being carried out “to make sure that we have the right people in the security bubble”.

None of the attacks, riots or large protests that had been anticipated during the weekend or on Monday, the public holiday celebrating the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, have materialised.

But the fears of attacks or disruptions for the inauguration persist.

The January 6 riots took place after Trump addressed a rally urging his supporters to protest the election of Biden, which he said was the result of massive fraud. About 50 legal challenged by him and his supporters to the election have been thrown out by courts.

Many of his supporters marched to the Capitol, which houses Congress. just as the Senate and the House of Representatives were in the process of ratifying the votes of the electoral college electing Biden.

A section of the rioters overwhelmed security and rushed inside the Capitol building, entering the Senate chamber and the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while members of Congress were evacuated to safety.

Five people, including a police officer, died during the riot and a nation-wide hunt is on for those who entered the Capitol and several have already been arrested..

The House impeached Trump on Wednesday, charging him with inciting an insurrection and threatening democracy.

Under the impeachment process, the Senate is to hold a judicial-style trial of Trump with the senators acting as jurors.

Also Read-Covid cases continue to surge across the US

Previous Story

Covid cases continue to surge across the US

Next Story

Clashes kill 23 in Hodeidah

Latest from -Top News

India-EU Trade Talks Resume

The proposed India-EU FTA covers 23 policy areas, or chapters, of which at least two – market access and rules of origin – have yet to be resolved….reports Asian Lite News India

India Launches Relief Ops in Bhutan

The Royal Government of Bhutan has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army…reports Asian Lite News Amid unprecedented floods caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, relentless rainfall has

Jaishankar Hints at Tariff Deal with US

Jaishankar explained that the ongoing trade tensions largely stem from the inability of both sides to reach a common ground on several issues….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on
Go toTop