DC officials brace for high-profile events for Congress vote, Trump inauguration

WASHINGTON – Authorities in the nation’s capital are bracing for a series of high-profile events starting Friday, implementing tighter security after the fatal vehicle attack in New Orleans this week.

The events include Congress reconvening on Friday, lawmakers counting Electoral College votes on Monday, the late President Jimmy Carter lying in state at the Capitol Tuesday through Thursday and President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.

“We have already been ramping up security, as planned, ahead of a busy month at the U.S. Capitol," the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police Department heightened its security posture across the city "out of an abundance of caution" after the New Orleans attack, although there is no known threat to the city, according to Paris Lewbel, the department's deputy director of communications.

“While we do not discuss specifics regarding operations, tactics, or staffing, the community will notice an increased police presence throughout the city,” Lewbel said.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Friday to discuss capital security.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared the counting of Electoral College votes on Monday as a "national security event," based on a request from Bowser, after a riot during that event in 2021 led to charges against more than 1,500 people. The inauguration is also considered a national security event. City officials said in September that they had been planning for it for months.

The designation calls for significant resources in a coordinated security plan by federal, state and local officials.

Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference with the mayor on Nov. 12 that the city hoped to have 4,000 police officers from other agencies to help provide security for the inauguration. She said city officials would meet with federal counterparts to share intelligence for the election certification on Monday and for the inauguration later this month.

In a Maryland suburb northwest of D.C., Montgomery County police said their department has a mutual aid agreement with U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police and “will provide assistance when asked.”

The FBI is investigating the New Orleans incident as "an act of terrorism" but officials said Thursday the driver, who was shot and killed by local police, apparently acted alone. Authorities have not found links between that attack and the explosion of a truck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Signs of tighter security for the upcoming events were apparent after the installation of chain-link fencing around the Capitol. Fencing has routinely been placed around the historic building following the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, which led to a temporary halt in Congress counting Electoral College votes. Security fencing is traditionally erected for the inauguration, with the Metropolitan Police Department taking the lead.

"While there is no known threat to the District of Columbia, out of an abundance of caution, MPD has heightened its security posture across the city in light of recent events," Lewbel said. “As the nation’s capital, we maintain a heightened level of security at all times to ensure the safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DC tightens security around Capitol for major January events