The unruly supporters of President Donald Trump who attacked Capitol last week have forced the authorities to deploy unprecedented number of troops for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, around 21,000 National Guards, more than American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq combined.
The FBI has warned of planned armed protests across the nation and in Washington DC next week. On Wednesday, Department of Homeland Security activated a massive security operation aimed at walling off access to the White House and the Capitol where Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to be sworn in.
The National Park Service has already suspended tours of the Washington Monument. The National Mall will also be closed where thousands traditionally gather to see the new president sworn in. Moreover, security lockdown has been clamped in downtown Washington.
If the number of National Guard personnel reaches the estimated 21,000, it will be more than four times higher than the current combined troop number in Afghanistan and Iraq — 5,000 troops.
For former president Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, a total 10,000 troops were deployed. And for his second term the number was decreased to 6,000. Only 8,000 security personnel were deployed for Donald Trump in 2017.
