Iran Press/America: The inauguration will take place two weeks after violent mobs attacked the US Capitol and right-wing extremists are calling for more violence when Biden is sworn-in.
"I want to reiterate my request to Americans enjoy this 59th inauguration of the president of the United States and the vice president of the United States at home. Enjoy it virtually on January 20th," Bowser said. "We know this is the right request for our public safety and our public health."
The mayor's remarks come shortly after the National Park Service announced Friday that it was shutting down the National Mall through the inauguration, from Friday to at least Thursday of next week. Much of the downtown area also has been closed off to try to keep the area secure.
Bowser and law enforcement agencies are under enormous pressure after the security failures of last week, when a pro-Trump mob was able to breach the Capitol and rioted in a violent day that left five people dead, including a police officer.
Federal prosecutors now claim that there is strong evidence that the rioters intended to capture and assassinate members of Congress during the counting of the Electoral College votes.
Matt Miller, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Washington field office, has said numerous agencies had been preparing "for a year" to ensure the safety of the ceremony.
211
