Vice President Mike Pence told the FBI, Secret Service, National Guard, and others to “lean forward” in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday, as 21,000 armed National Guard members assemble in Washington.
“Remain vigilant,” Pence said after receiving a briefing Thursday afternoon at the Department of Homeland Security. “The American people deserve a safe inauguration Jan. 20.”
In the wake of Jan. 6 protests that turned violent and breached Capitol security, the inauguration was declared a National Special Security Event to streamline coordination between local, state, and federal authorities.
Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Dan Hokanson announced the highest number of National Guard troops yet made public when he stated that 21,000 troops will be authorized for the event and that 7,000 are already patrolling the District of Columbia.
“Our guard members are armed and equipped commensurate with the missions they’ve been asked to do,” he said. “This is what we do, and we’re trained to do it.”
Guard members will support DHS, the lead federal agency overseeing security for the event.
The Secret Service is responsible for the inauguration operational security plan, while the FBI has the lead for domestic intelligence and counterterrorism for the event.
“We are seeing an extensive amount of concerning online chatter,” FBI chief Christopher Wray said. “Right now, we are tracking for potential armed protest.”
Wray said more than 100 Jan. 6 Capitol rioters have been arrested and the FBI has identified 200 suspects from the security breach that led to the death of two Capitol Police officers and three protesters.
“We’re looking at individuals who may have an eye towards repeating that same kind of violence that we saw last week,” he said. “Our posture is aggressive, and it’s going to stay that way through the inauguration.”
Secret Service Chief Deputy Marty Wilkerson said planning for the event has been underway for more than three years.
“Our perimeter is expansive,” Wilkerson said, promising that the inauguration will not be a repeat of the events that took place on Jan. 6.
“It basically covers most of downtown Washington, D.C.,” he said. “It’s effectuated by many, many miles of hard fence, and it’s supported by many, many thousands of law enforcement and National Guard personnel.”
Pence assured the public that he and President Trump will guarantee a peaceful transfer of power.
“Confidence is high,” he said. “The American people can be confident that our administration will continue to work every day between now and Jan. 20 to ensure an orderly transition.”
