Biden inauguration: Rehearsal postponed due to security concerns

Washington - Report says Biden’s team had also cancelled an Amtrak trip from Wilmington to Washington planned for Monday due to heightened security concerns

Members of the US National Guard arrive at the US Capitol. The Pentagon is deploying as many as 15,000 National Guard troops to protect President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, amid fears of new violence. — AFP

By Reuters

Published: Fri 15 Jan 2021, 8:00 AM

A rehearsal for US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration scheduled for Sunday has been postponed because of security concerns, Politico reported late on Thursday, citing two people with knowledge of the decision.

The rehearsal is now planned for Monday, according to the report.

Biden’s team had also cancelled an Amtrak trip from Wilmington to Washington planned for Monday due to heightened security concerns, the report added. Biden will be inaugurated on January 20.

Also read: FBI tracking online chatter about armed protests

The president-elect’s team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray said earlier that the FBI was looking into individuals who could possibly threaten the safety of the inauguration.

A presidential inauguration traditionally draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Washington, but the ceremonies have been scaled back dramatically because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Biden asked his nominee for deputy attorney-general and former President Barack Obama’s counter-terrorism adviser Lisa Monaco to serve as a temporary homeland security adviser leading up to next week’s inauguration.

Officials have warned of plans for armed protests in Washington and all 50 states and activist groups have been concerned about the potential for violence.

The warnings follow last week’s assault on the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump that left five people dead.

Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol last Wednesday, trying to halt the certification by Congress of Biden’s election win.

Trump, who has challenged the validity of Biden’s victory without producing evidence, initially praised his supporters but later condemned the violence.