A rehearsal for Joe Biden’s inauguration that was originally scheduled for Sunday has been postponed due to security concerns in the wake of last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Politico reported late Thursday.
Two people with knowledge of the decision told the publication that the rehearsal is now scheduled to take place a day later, on Monday.
The news comes as security officials work to ensure that the Capitol complex is secure after failures to do so ahead of the Jan. 6 joint congressional session that was met by a violent pro-Trump mob inflamed by President Trump.
The National Guard is expected to deploy more than 20,000 troops in preparation for the inauguration ceremonies next week and federal authorities distributed a bulletin to law enforcement urging them to be on high alert for potential further violence as President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.
A Wednesday statement from the Biden transition team noted that the President-elect had been briefed about the threats from the FBI, the Secret Service and national security officials.
Biden’s team also said earlier this week that it would cancel the incoming president’s Amtrak trip from Wilmington to the nation’s capital due to ongoing security threats that have grown increasingly dire since last week’s Capitol siege.
Per Politico, Biden’s team has also doubled down on transition security issues, bringing on Lisa Monaco, a former Obama administration Homeland Security adviser to serve as a temporary adviser on security around the inauguration.
Biden had nominated Monaco to serve as deputy attorney general, but her preparation related to that nomination has been temporarily halted as she prioritizes security ahead of the inauguration “given the existing threats,” a spokesperson for the Biden transition told Politico.
Politico reported that Monaco will work directly with the incoming national security advisor, the incoming homeland security advisor, and current security and law enforcement officials, including with the United States Secret Service on their plans for the inauguration.
A couple of other things have cropped up:
Feds edge closer to sedition charge in Capitol riot aftermath - POLITICO
Lawmakers who conspired with Capitol attackers in legal peril - POLITICO
This one could be why things are postponed.
Online extremists are ignoring Trump’s call for calm - POLITICO
Majorities oppose rioters, hold Trump responsible and favor his removal, Post-ABC poll finds. - The Washington Post
And this one won’t last long:
Trump Plans to Live at Mar-a-Lago, Employ Some Current Aides - Bloomberg
I understand the desire for a normal inauguration, but this one wouldn’t be normal anyway because of Covid. Why take chances? Reagan moved indoors in 1984 because of cold weather and this situation is far more serious than a cold snap. All the Constitution requires is recitation of the oath (which Biden, unlike his predecessor, will keep).
Given that judges keep releasing all the people the FBI are currently arresting, it is no wonder the Feds believe they are still a viable threat.
If the city of Palm Beach wins a court case based on the contract, he can just close the club and revert to residence status. He can travel down to the Doral in Miami for soirees; it’s not far away. He doesn’t even have to close the club until the city pushes hard enough, and so far that hasn’t happened. I don’t think they’ve even filed a lawsuit yet.
Mar a Lago has convenient access to the airport, and it’s already vetted and secured by the Secret Service. The architecture and decor has that tacky Xanadu vibe that probably appeals to him. He can act out the last reel of Citizen Kane there until he’s arrested or dies.
My Uber driver from Iraq laughed and said, “You Americans are so funny. You think a coup is such a big thing.”