Strengthen security measures in Washington 4:39
(CNN) -
The nation enters inauguration week with a bewildering police and military presence guarding vestiges of democracy, with Americans holding their breath as federal officials warn of threats of violence and potential unrest that have clouded preparations for the ceremonies that will mark the beginning of President-elect Joe Biden in the White House, and the return of President Donald Trump to private life.
Determined to avoid the terrifying scene that unfolded during the violent uprising on Capitol Hill on January 6, the city of Washington - once the jewel in the crown of democracy admired around the world - now resembles a police state. as authorities try to ensure a peaceful transfer of power when Biden is sworn in on Wednesday.
Some 25,000 National Guard troops have been deployed, military vehicles block some of Washington's streets, the National Mall is closed, and high fences and barricades protect the country's sacred buildings while mobility is restricted.
LOOK: ANALYSIS |
The 15 most notable lies of Donald Trump's presidency
Deep within the fortified capital city, Trump has remained out of the public eye during his last weekend in power, unrepentant for the violence he incited and unwilling to abandon the false election claims that have angered his supporters. .
Meanwhile, Biden tried to get Americans to focus on a more hopeful future as his team outlined the first steps he will take in office to try to help Americans struggling amid the pandemic and deliver on campaign promises on issues like climate change, criminal justice and immigration.
But with less than four days left in the Trump presidency, the nation remains on high alert.
In another disturbing sign of potential threats posed by homemade bombs or explosives, such as those placed outside Democratic and Republican Party headquarters earlier this month and not being activated, the U.S. Postal Service removed blue mail collection boxes from some jurisdictions in 18 states as a security measure.
advertising
MORE: Why Extremism Experts Fear The Capitol Attack Is Just The Beginning
The National Guard presence in Washington is a stronger military footprint than the United States has in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria combined.
But Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Saturday that the additional security was "definitely necessary and guaranteed."
"Shutting down the National Mall, shutting down the Washington metro system, Airbnb canceling reservations, the actions that the post office just reported, it's like we're under attack from a foreign enemy," Van Hollen told Wolf. CNN's Blitzer on "The Situation Room."
"What is so sad is that it is an attack on our democracy from within, instigated by the president of the United States," said the Maryland Democrat.
“These are the kind of forces that you would normally see protecting us from an external enemy, and yet here we are, trying to protect ourselves from a violent mob, and from people who have been lied to;
people who believe in the president when he says he was cheated in an election.
We will have to face this.
Many state capitols also increase security to avoid being surprised as happened to the police of the US Capitol on January 6.
With the FBI warning last week that "armed protests" are planned in all 50 states, the Michigan State Police, for example, has mobilized personnel from across the state to secure the state Capitol in Lansing in coordination with the FBI and the National Guard. .
Michigan, in particular, is familiar with the threats posed by armed protesters, who gathered last spring to demonstrate against covid-19-related restrictions.
With rallies scheduled for Sunday, a fence has been erected around the State Capitol, and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor called on Michiganians to stay out of downtown and avoid engaging "with protesters coming to our city with bad intentions.
Michigan's House of Representatives and Senate canceled sessions Tuesday through Thursday due to "credible threats."
And Airbnb also reviews bookings booked around Lansing during opening week, saying they will cancel bookings made by guests associated with hate groups and violence.
Trump's last days before leaving the White House
Unwilling to take responsibility for the fear that has spread across the country after seeing the January 6 attacks, Trump remained out of the public eye at the White House this weekend, still stripped of the ability to communicate with his followers through the main social media channels such as Facebook.
and Twitter.
But in what appeared to be another overtly political move at the 11th hour, his administration attempted to install a Trump loyalist as the National Security Agency's top attorney - a civil servant job, not a political appointment - which would be harder to fire after Biden takes office, sources told CNN.
Avoiding the usual handover between presidents on inauguration day, Trump plans to head to Palm Beach, Florida, hours before Biden is sworn in.
But Trump remains very interested in how he will be celebrated when he leaves the White House for the last time, contemplating an exit ceremony that could include a red carpet, an escort, a military band and even a 21-gun salute, a senior official told him. government to CNN's Jim Acosta.
Trump is also concerned in recent days about building a legal team to defend him during his upcoming impeachment trial, as several high-profile aides who defended him the last time he faced a Senate trial make it clear that they are not interested. in this second round.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to send the impeachment charge to the Senate this week.
The president has resisted calls from his aides to give a final speech mentioning the government's achievements.
Instead, Pence, who will attend Biden's inauguration, continues to be the civil service leader, traveling to Naval Air Station Lemoore in California on Saturday to give a speech promoting the government's national security achievements.
"The American people are grateful," Pence told the sailors as he thanked them for their service on behalf of the Trump administration.
And I want to assure you that you have our deepest respect for the selflessness and courage that you embody every day.
The vice president argued that the armed forces are now "more equipped than ever" and added, without irony, even though some parts of the nation are currently under heavy surveillance, that he was "proud to say, just a few days to leave this administration, that this is the first administration in decades that does not lead the United States to a new war.
MORE: PHOTOS |
Trump's most controversial moments in his presidency
Biden prepares executive actions
While it has been difficult for Biden to capture the nation's attention after the security breach on Capitol Hill, his team revealed new details Saturday about how Americans could be involved in takeover activities from home and their chief of staff. Incoming Cabinet Ron Klain released a memo detailing the executive actions Biden would take on his first day in office to reverse some of the Trump administration's policies, including reinstating the Paris climate accord and rescission of the travel ban since predominantly Muslim countries.
Biden launched his first signature legislative initiative last week when he announced his $ 1.9 trillion aid package to mitigate the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and expand and accelerate the delivery of the covid-19 vaccine throughout. U.S.
MORE: Biden Explains His Plan To Give Americans Covid-19 Vaccines
On Saturday, Klain's memo noted that Biden would also sign decrees to stop evictions and ease student loan payments to those struggling financially due to the pandemic, while instituting a mask mandate on federal sites and for inter-state travel. .
The president-elect has encouraged Americans to wear face masks in their first 100 days in office.
Biden also plans to present an immigration plan within his first 100 days that would include a path to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
In late January and early February, he also intends to ask the federal government to design a system to reunite separated children from their families at the US-Mexico border and will focus on pushing forward criminal justice reform. .
"These actions are just the beginning of our work," Klain wrote in the memo.
“Much more will need to be done to combat COVID-19, better rebuild our economy, combat systemic racism and inequality, and address the existential threat of the climate crisis.
But by February 1, America will be moving in the right direction on these four challenges, and more, thanks to the leadership of President-elect Joe Biden. "
Jim Acosta, Josh Campbell, Jeremy Diamond, Jamie Gangel, Dan Merica, Peter Morris, Artemis Moshtaghian, David Shortell, and Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.
Donald trump
