Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced Monday that the United States Secret Service will take over security operations for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration nearly full a week ahead of the original scheduled date.
“In light of events of the past week and the evolving security landscape leading up to the inauguration and at the recommendation of Secret Service Director James Murray, I have instructed the U.S. Secret Service to begin the National Special Security Event operations for the 2021 Inauguration effective Wednesday, January 13 instead of January 19,” Wolf wrote in a statement. “Our federal, state, and local partners will continue to coordinate their plans and position resources for this important event.” (RELATED: Chad Wolf Says He Won’t Resign Before Jan. 20 — Implores Trump To Condemn Violence)
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf testifies at his Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on September 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The operational change comes after a rioting mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building Jan. 6. Five people died as a result of the riot.
Democratic Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, and Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also issued a joint statement Monday urging people not to attend the inauguration over both security and coronavirus concerns.
“We will work together, and with our partners in the federal government, to ensure the safety of the National Capital [sic] Region,” it reads. “We are taking the extraordinary step of encouraging Americans not to come to Washington, D.C. and to instead participate virtually.”
.@MayorBowser @GovernorVA @GovLarryHogan issue joint statement on the inaugural and security. pic.twitter.com/fM5oSH5RMz
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) January 11, 2021
“In this very trying time, January 6 was a dark moment for our nation. But we know that we will get through this period because American ideals are stronger than one extreme ideology. Together, we will overcome extremism and get back to the work of our residents,” it continued.