Washington DC on high alert following January 1 terror attacks
Photo: Washington has prepared for possible threats (Getty Images)
Security forces in Washington have been put on high alert after the New Year's Day terrorist attacks as three high-profile events will take place in the United States shortly, reports Voice of America.
“That has never happened before. We have three [National Special Security Events] over a 15-day period,” said Matt McCool, US Secret Service Washington Field Office special agent.
The first one will take place on Monday, January 6, when Congress will approve the results of the presidential election. The second is the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. The procession will begin on January 7 and end on January 9.
The last high-profile event is the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Amid these events and recent terrorist attacks in the United States, the Secret Service has announced that it is deploying agents from across the country. Also, the Washington Police Department has deployed an additional 4,000 officers.
The National Guard Bureau in the capital has approved requests for additional support, including 500 guardsmen. An additional request for 7,800 National Guard soldiers and airmen to help ensure security during Trump's inauguration is pending.
Terrorist attacks in US
On January 1, a car drove into a crowd in New Orleans, followed by a shooting. The incident killed 15 people and injured 30.
The driver of the car is associated with ISIS, as a flag of the terrorist group was found in his belongings. US law enforcement classified the incident as a terrorist attack.
In the first hours of the new year, a Cybertruck car developed by Elon Musk's Tesla company exploded in Las Vegas. Initially, the police did not rule out a terrorist attack, but the FBI believes that the incident should be considered separately.
Read more about the terrorist attacks in the United States in the first days of the new year in RBC-Ukraine's report.
