All through downtown Washington, the primary sound for several blocks was the beeping of forklifts unloading more fencing.There were no cars or scooters and seemingly no tourists Wednesday, just the occasional jogger and multiple construction crews at work, AP reports.
The U.S. Capitol that proved such a soft target last week was visible only through lines of tall, black fence.
Between the pandemic and the security threat, Bowser is urging people not to come to the District of Columbia for the inauguration.
Police vehicles sealed off a huge swath of downtown D.C. Wednesday, causing immediate traffic snarls. Starting Wednesday, Bowser said, anyone inside the inauguration perimeter might be stopped and questioned. Starting Friday, all parking garages in the downtown restricted zone will be sealed through the inauguration.
On the ground, much of the most visible security will come in the form of more than 15,000 National Guardsmen from multiple states, some of them armed.
Officials are continuing to review requests from law enforcement, and some believe several thousand more could be brought in. Defense and military officials have been calling governors and adjutants general to ask if they might have people they could send, if requested.
So far, officials said state leaders have said that protecting their own capitols will be their top priority, but they still have some Guard members they will be able to send, if needed.
