Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration in Washington, D.C. on Monday (Jan. 11) ahead of President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The declaration will allow federal law enforcement from the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in local security efforts, as Trump supporters are expected to storm the area once again to protest Biden’s win.
According to NBC, the Secret Service and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies have also ramped up security efforts for next week’s inauguration. On Monday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement urging Americans not to travel to the city.
“January 6, 2021 is now a seminal moment in American history. We are grateful for the courageous efforts of every law enforcement officer, Guard member, and first responder who heroically worked to secure the Capitol and ensure our nation’s democracy prevailed,” the statement read.
“Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the 59th Presidential Inauguration, including last week’s violent insurrection as well as the ongoing and deadly COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking the extraordinary step of encouraging Americans not to come to Washington, D.C. and to instead participate virtually.”
Still, some are urging D.C. officials to do more to restrict incoming travel. Earlier this week, the Association of Flight Attendants, and a few politicians, called on the Transportation Security Administration to add identified pro-Trump Capitol rioters to the No Fly List.
“We support the swiftest action with clear consequences and clear rules for keeping these people off planes,” Sara Nelson, president of the association, told Forbes.
According to a statement from Twitter, Trump supporters have begun planning a second attack on the Capitol for this coming Sunday, Jan. 17. Twitter revealed the information after analyzing Trump and his followers’ tweets — the findings of which prompted his permanent ban from the social media site.
“Plans for future armed protests have already begun proliferating on and off-Twitter, including a proposed secondary attack on the U.S. Capitol and state capitol buildings on January 17, 2021,” Twitter’s statement read.