US Washington DC Extends Public Emergency for 15 Days... "Until the Day After the Presidential Inauguration"

Washington DC Police Arrest 52 People Related to Capitol Breach

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Amid the unprecedented incident on the 6th (local time) where supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC, the city has decided to impose a 15-day public emergency order until the day after the presidential inauguration.

According to The New York Times (NYT) and others, Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington DC, announced in a statement that the public emergency order would be extended for 15 days. Accordingly, the emergency order will remain in effect until 3 p.m. on the 21st, one day after President-elect Joe Biden’s official inauguration on the 20th.

NYT reported that Mayor Bowser issued the emergency order just hours after imposing a curfew from 6 p.m. on the same day until 6 a.m. the next day, January 7, considering the violent situation. Under the public emergency order, the city government can require businesses to shorten operating hours and demand citizens to return home if a curfew is imposed. Additionally, funds necessary for public safety can be spent as needed.

Mayor Bowser pointed out, "Pro-Trump protesters used chemicals, bricks, bottles, firearms, and more," adding, "They attacked Capitol security, and their violent and disruptive actions could spread beyond the Capitol." She continued, "President Trump is inciting anger and violence by claiming the election results are invalid," and "Some are expected to continue these violent protests until the inauguration."

Meanwhile, Washington DC police stated that 52 people were arrested in connection with the Capitol breach. Of these, 47 were arrested for violating the 6 p.m. curfew imposed by Mayor Bowser, and 26 were arrested inside the Capitol grounds, according to the police. Some others were apprehended for possession of unauthorized or prohibited firearms.

The police also reported that pipe bombs were found and confiscated at the nearby Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters buildings, and a refrigerator containing Molotov cocktails was recovered from a vehicle on the Capitol grounds.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.