The president on Monday ordered federal agencies to provide assistance to local law enforcement as fears of violence continue to mount after Trump supporters stormed into the nation’s Capitol last week.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote to Trump on Sunday asking for the emergency declaration.
An emergency declaration allows the government to increase powers in a certain area. It can be declared for a number of reasons, from natural disasters to the current Covid outbreak.
It can also be declared due to civil unrest, making Trump’s declaration of emergency concerning as fears are already mounting about how to keep Biden’s inauguration safe.
Trump’s declaration states that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can provide needed assistance from Monday through January 24.
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” the declaration states.
“Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 100 percent Federal funding.”
In the wake of the January 6 attack, which erupted after Trump spoke to his supporters in DC as Congress was certifying the 2020 election, authorities have started beefing up plans to keep Biden’s swearing-in secure.
The Secret Service is planning to implement security measures a week before the inauguration, and the DC National Guard plans to have a minimum of 10,000 troops on the ground by the weekend, according to The Hill.
Since the Capitol riots, far-right extremists have been taking to online forums to organize more demonstrations, which led law enforcement officials to fear more violence.
The emergency declaration comes as House Democrats move to have Trump impeached, claiming he incited last Wednesday’s riots.
The Capitol riots resulted in five deaths, including a Capitol police officer.
The House is expected to vote on an article of impeachment on Wednesday.
After the riots last week, Trump finally acknowledged that a new administration would be sworn in on January 20, after months of denying that he lost the election to Biden.
