Only one week earlier than President Trump’s inauguration, an alarming incident involving unauthorized drone exercise over the White Home has sparked safety issues.
Consultant Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) took to social media to share her firsthand account, revealing that her flight into Washington, D.C., needed to be redirected on account of the scenario.
“I simply flew into DCA,” Greene posted. “Earlier than touchdown, our pilot introduced he needed to fly in from one other route resulting from ‘unauthorized drone exercise’ over the White Home.”
I simply flew into DCA.
Earlier than touchdown, our pilot introduced he needed to fly in from one other route resulting from “unauthorized drone exercise” over the White Home.— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) January 13, 2025
This incident occurred simply hours after Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, in collaboration with district and federal authorities, reassured the general public of stringent safety measures throughout a Monday press convention.
The sudden drone exercise, nevertheless, underscores the challenges going through regulation enforcement and federal businesses as they put together for the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.
FBI Particular Agent David Sundberg confirmed in the course of the press briefing that whereas no particular or credible threats have been recognized, authorities stay vigilant.
“We aren’t at the moment monitoring any particular or credible threats to the inaugural ceremony or to the Capitol complicated,” Sundberg acknowledged.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger highlighted the persistent menace of a “lone actor,” which continues to be a main concern for regulation enforcement.
“That menace of the lone actor stays the largest justification for us sustaining this heightened state of alert all through the following week,” Manger mentioned.
In response, Particular Agent in Cost William McCool of the Secret Service outlined an in depth safety operation. Over 25,000 regulation enforcement and army personnel are being deployed to make sure the security of the inauguration. Measures embody short-term flight restrictions, drone patrols, and the set up of over 30 miles of fencing across the Capitol and different key places.
“All attendees will bear screening. Designated checkpoints will probably be arrange for members of the general public concerned about attending the inauguration,” McCool acknowledged.
McCool additionally famous the Secret Service’s year-long preparation for this occasion, with particular consideration to counter-drone operations given the rising prevalence of unmanned aerial automobiles in restricted airspace.
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