In the wake of the deadly attack in New Orleans on Jan. 1, coupled with a truck explosion in Las Vegas, law enforcement officials in Washington are increasing security ahead of the presidential inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter’s viewing.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department said that, starting Sunday, the department will be mobilizing all its personnel and resources, given the number of events happening in the nation’s capital over the next few weeks.
“As of this moment, there are no credible known threats here in the District of Columbia, but out of an abundance of caution, I have heightened our security posture across the city in light of the recent events,” Ms. Smith said.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a man drove a pickup truck into crowds in the French Quarter of New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring many others. Law enforcement officials have described the incident as a deliberate attack. Separately, the same day, one person died and at least seven were injured after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
On Thursday morning, law enforcement in D.C. arrested a man who they said drove a vehicle along a sidewalk on the Capitol complex grounds.
The next few days will be a busy time in the nation’s capital.
On Monday, the Electoral College votes will be counted, certifying President-elect Donald J. Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election. On Thursday, a state funeral for Mr. Carter will be held at the Washington National Cathedral. And Mr. Trump will be sworn in as President on Jan. 20.
Federal law enforcement officials, speaking to members of the news media on Friday, emphasized that there was no credible intelligence suggesting a mass demonstration similar to the one that occurred on Jan. 6 four years ago.
Capitol Police were caught by surprise in 2021 when a pro-Trump mob, aiming to stop the counting of Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election, disrupted the certification of President Biden’s victory. The Capitol was breached, endangering the lives of members of Congress. One member of the Capitol Police force died in the aftermath of the insurrection and more than 100 officers were injured.
Matt McCool, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Washington field office, said that the agency will bring in agents from across the country to supplement their staffing for this month’s events. Additional measures, such as the use of drones, will be implemented during this time, Mr. McCool said, urging the public not to be alarmed if they encounter one.
The National Guard will also be on standby to help with events in D.C.
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