Capitol siege raises security concerns for Biden inaugural

WASHINGTON (AP) — The violent insurrection at the US Capitol is intensifying scrutiny over security at the upcoming inauguration ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden that already has been reshaped by the pandemic and the prospect that President Donald Trump may not attend.

Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take the oath of office from the Capitol’s West Front, one of the locations where a violent mob overpowered police and stormed the building.

They also scaled and occupied the scaffolding and bleachers in place for the ceremonies.

Plans for the January 20 inauguration were already scaled back because of the coronavirus.

But the brazen attack raises new questions about preparedness for the event that welcome the new administration after a bitter election.

The congressional leaders responsible for coordinating the inauguration insisted Thursday night that events will move forward.

“Yesterday was a sad and solemn day for our country,” said Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar.

“The outrageous attack on the Capitol, however, will not stop us from affirming to Americans — and the world — that our democracy endures.”

“The great American tradition of an inaugural ceremony has occurred in times of peace, in times of turmoil, in times of prosperity, and in times of adversity,” they continued.

“We will be swearing in President-elect Biden.”

Security forces have already begun taking extra precautions in the wake of Wednesday’s mayhem.

Roughly 6,200 members of the National Guard from six states — Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland — will help support the Capitol Police and other law enforcement in Washington for the next 30 days.

Inauguration Day road closures may be altered.

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