As elected officials and curious spectators swarm to the nation’s capital ahead of President-elect Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, which now will occur indoors because of severely cold temperatures, law enforcement remains on alert for long wolf attacks.
“Lone wolf actors are always extremely significant to law enforcement personnel who are trying to safeguard the people that are attending these events,” Sergeant Matthew Fagiana, a retired patrol commander with over 25 years of experience with law enforcement, told Fox News Digital. “One of the reasons that they’re always a concern is they can be very unpredictable, and they are driven by extremist ideologies.”
The threat of potential lone wolf actors was heightened after a machete-wielding suspect attempted to get through a magnetometer and X-ray security screen as Trump was paying respect to former President Carter. The 44-year-old suspect was granted a conditional pre-trial release after a hearing just days prior to Trump’s inauguration.
“Federal partners that are tasked with intelligence gathering, the folks that are tasked with protecting the dignitaries that are present on Monday, are going to know where this individual is,” Fagiana said. “It’s not like he’s out of sight, out of mind. And that goes to the same for anybody that has made a credible threat. They’re going to make sure that they know where that person is.”
He recommended to “trust your gut,” and if said that something seems unusual, to share your concern with a nearby officer.
“I think all law enforcement will appreciate that,” he said. “I think that applies anywhere. Not just the inauguration on Monday, but it’s a good habit to get into for our daily lives as well as any time we’re in public.”
Preparations are made ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Associated Press)
How the public can help:
The U.S. Capitol Police Department shared a list of prohibited items on Capitol grounds for Jan. 20. The list of 50 items covered items from bicycles, umbrellas and liquids. Read the whole list here.
“We understand that normal people are going to inadvertently bring something maybe that they’re not supposed to. Somebody may bring an umbrella, just because it’s routine or somebody may bring a bag that’s not clear,” he said ‘That’s why there is a buffer zone, and police will stop you from going through [to the main event].”
“That gives law enforcement time to stop that item from entering,” he said. “We just don’t want those types of items to be close to the protected area.”
