The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that it would be closing 13 stations in areas near the National Mall and Capitol Building ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
The shutdowns will begin Friday, when 11 stations in the security parameter will close until Jan. 21., the day following the inauguration. Stations set to close include Farragut North, Judiciary Square, Union Station, Archives, Arlington Cemetery, Farragut West, McPherson Square, Federal Center SW, Capitol South, Smithsonian, and Federal Triangle.
Here is #WMATA‘s official inauguration map that goes into effect tomorrow through Thursday pic.twitter.com/4e9r1nimR6
— Jordan Pascale????️ #WeMakeWAMU (@JWPascale) January 14, 2021
The remaining two stations, Metro Center and Gallery Place, will close Saturday. Trains will pass through all closed stations without stopping.
Democratic Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, and Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a joint statement Monday urging people not to attend the inauguration over both security and coronavirus concerns.
Bowser has requested to extend the extra security in the city due to the riot at the Capitol Building the day that the Senate was scheduled to certify Electoral College votes. (RELATED: DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Asks Trump And Several Federal Agencies To Help Prepare For Biden Inauguration)
Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Pete Gaynor announced that in light of requests and the incident at the Capitol Building, the security period would be extended, beginning Jan. 13 and running until Jan. 21.
At least 10,000 National Guard troops will also be deployed to prepare for the inauguration. Following the breach of the Capitol Building, National Guard troops were tasked with protecting the complex.
There are at least a thousand, probably more, National Guard troops all over the Capitol Visitor Center, Emancipation Hall, and surrounding hallways. They’re sleeping in reception areas, the cafeteria, the entrance to the building. Everywhere. pic.twitter.com/EFvofT8fqx
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 13, 2021
Due to the pandemic, the inauguration’s organizers have urged Americans not to travel and to instead stay at home to view the event. There will be a small live attendance, reduced from 200,000 people to barely over 1,000, which accounts for two tickets for each member of Congress.
