WASHINGTON — In the days leading up to Inauguration Day, people who call Washington, D.C. home can expect to navigate the city in a way they never have before.
In a press conference Friday, Secret Service Agent Matt Miller said vehicles entering the "secure military zone" around the National Mall will be searched. They're calling it crossing the "red line." Miller said officials are looking for weapons, threats, and explosives. Miller said only after the search will people be permitted in.
Miller said outside of the secure zone, all vehicles, residents and guests, will be able to enter the District as normal. He said it’s only when you enter the blocked-off secure zones that vehicles will be checked.
As of Friday, much of D.C.’s central business district is under a secure zone, but an exact map has not been provided by D.C. security officials.
It's expected that those zones will closely mimic much of the road closures in and around D.C.
D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said in the event people need to get inside the fence, they should be able to gain access to the area and not incur any issues, but they may have to show their identification.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said there could be bridge closures coming in to D.C. in the days leading up to inauguration. She said those conversations are still ongoing.
As of Friday morning, the National Park Service, at the request of the Secret Service, temporarily closed the National Mall. It will remain closed until Jan. 21.
The number of streets closed in Washington, D.C. continue to increase. Closures spread from Constitution Ave. from Rock Creek Pkwy NW to 17th St. NW.
As for a potential curfew in the District, Bowser said they will continue to evaluate the use of a curfew as a possible tool.
As for security in the coming days, Chief Contee said all Metropolitan Police Officers will be on hand during Inauguration to respond to Inauguration events and across the city.
WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld said officers from Baltimore, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, New Orleans, Houston, Denver and San Francisco will be assisting with transit police.
Also inside that secure military zone are thousands of National Guard troops, helping to guard the U.S. Capitol following the pro-Trump riots on January 6th.
Joe Biden's inauguration is set to take place on Wednesday, January 20. Much of it will be virtual, but there are still in-person events planned outside the Capitol for his swearing in.