Little more than six weeks from now, the pomp and circumstance of an occasion four years in the making will descend upon Washington DC: The inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. Tens of thousands of spectators will gather before the steps of the Capitol to watch the spectacle; it will be a thing to behold. Many will come from out of state, from around the world — and they, we all are wondering the same thing:
What can Washington DC expect in terms of Inauguration Day security?
This election season has transpired like none other before it. Where tensions run high and societal uncertainty even higher, it is expected that public safety and security measures in Washington, DC on Inauguration Day 2017 will be advanced.
President-elect Trump, alongside Vice President-elect Mike Pence and their families, will be sworn in at the Capitol Building around noon on Friday, January 20 before traveling via motorcade along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House; later Mr. Trump will be spotted out in the District again, where he will make an appearance at the Inaugural Ball. All the while citizens make their plans to gather in support and celebration, and in protest. It’s easy to understand why the Secret Service intends to increase the already heightened levels of security around Mr. Trump.
How will business owners be affected?
Washington’s business community is excited about the massive influx of patrons expected to arrive in the District next month, but they’re also anticipating traffic congestion, Metro delays, road closures, and swarms of security personnel. Deep breaths all around, because come Monday, January 23 life in DC will resume as normal — but in the meantime:
Plan ahead, and conduct business as usual on Inauguration Day.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) strongly recommends that anyone who must travel to and from Washington DC on January 21, 2017 do so via public transportation. Roads immediately surrounding the White House and the Capitol Building; as well as the entire Inaugural Parade route, its immediate surroundings, and the site of the 2017 Inaugural Ball will be closed.
Individual security checkpoints will be set up at the following locations:
- 2nd Street NW and C Street NW
- John Marshall Park at C Street NW
- Indiana Avenue NW between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW
- 7th Street NW and D Street NW
- 10th Street NW and E Street NW
- 12th Street NW and E Street NW
- 13th Street NW and E Street NW
- 14th Street NW and E Street NW
- 12th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
- 10th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
- 7th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW
- Constitution Avenue NW between 6th Street NW and 7th Street
Here is the Inaugural Parade Route:
2017 Inaugural Parade Route MapIf you were lucky enough to get tickets to the Swearing-In Ceremony; here are the checkpoints to get into the reserved sections.
2017 Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony Seating MapMonitor SMART Security Pros’ blog for more information about public safety and security on Inauguration Day in Washington DC as it becomes available.
