NEW YORK (US) – Washington’s mayor has called for increased security during the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden after the attack in the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Describing last week’s assault as an “unprecedented terrorist attack”, Mayor Muriel Bowser said that Biden’s inauguration on January 20 will need a “different approach” when compared to past inaugurations.
Bowser wrote in a letter to Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the department, “While I will be reaching out to a broad range of local, regional and federal partners to enhance cooperation among our bodies, I strongly urge the United States Department of Homeland Security to adjust its approach to the Inauguration in several specific ways,”
The letter was dated Saturday and made available on Sunday.
Though Trump has initially praised his supporters, he later condemned the violence.
In her letter, Bowser said the District of Columbia was submitting a request for a “pre-disaster declaration” permitting federal assistance.
She also asked the Homeland Security Department to coordinate with the Justice Department, the Department of Defense, the Supreme Court and the Congress to further bring about a federal force deployment plan for all federal property.
Washington remains on high alert ahead of Biden’s inauguration. Trump said last week he would not attend Biden’s inauguration.