Emergency Declared Across All 50 US States Ahead of Biden Inauguration

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] With the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden scheduled for the 20th, a state of emergency has been declared not only in Washington DC but across all 50 states.

This is due to expectations of armed protests by extremist groups supporting President Donald Trump occurring nationwide.

In Washington DC, more than 20,000 National Guard troops are being deployed?more than double the number during Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, when concerns about terrorism arose due to the first Black president’s inauguration?and reports indicate this number may increase to 25,000.

The National Mall in front of the Capitol, the inauguration venue, which previously attracted hundreds of thousands of people, has already been closed off this year, restricting public access.

The situation is similar in other states. Concerns are growing that far-right groups may carry out violence targeting state legislatures. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued warnings from the 16th (local time) through the 20th about armed protests at state legislatures.

Given these circumstances, state governments in all 50 states are significantly enhancing security and greatly increasing the deployment of law enforcement personnel, including the National Guard and police. States where Biden won by a narrow margin and those where firearms can be carried in public places are especially under close watch.

According to CNN, Florida and Maine have already deployed National Guard troops around their capitols. Arizona, California, Michigan, and Virginia have installed fences around their state legislatures and taken additional measures to control protesters. Pennsylvania has even erected barriers. Kentucky and Texas have temporarily closed their capitol grounds.

Michigan, which experienced the nightmare of heavily armed protesters storming its capitol last year, has banned firearms inside the capitol, but concerns remain that this is insufficient. The Michigan state Senate and House have canceled sessions around the inauguration date.

States including Virginia, Maryland, New Mexico, and Utah have declared states of emergency.

Virginia has closed the capitol grounds because a rally, which annually draws thousands of gun rights advocates, was scheduled for the 18th.

Oregon has established a command center to collect and share information on threats of violence at the capitol, while Illinois and Wisconsin have installed plywood coverings on first-floor windows of their capitols.

New Jersey has instructed state government employees to work from home on inauguration day.

CNN reported, "Due to concerns over armed protests, there are no crowds in Washington DC, and maximum security measures are being implemented nationwide, presenting a very different scene from previous inaugurations."

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