US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Washington DC that will remain effective until President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 24. The development comes five days after Trump’s supporters stormed the white house and destroyed government property. A huge riot broke out in the Capitol when his supporters protested against US Presidential election result while the Congress was counting the Electoral College votes to certify his defeat to Biden. The riots claimed life of 5 people.
The White House press office announced the news through an official statement in the late hours of Monday. The release claimed that the decision has been taken to avoid such incidents in future. The statement said Trump has ordered Federal assistance to supplement the District’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the 59th Presidential Inauguration from January 11 to January 24, 2021.
The declaration authorizes emergency agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to co-ordinate disaster relief efforts.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser had earlier sent a letter to United States Department of Homeland Security to adjust its approach to the Inauguration in several specific ways, requesting the emergency declaration, suggesting additional funding for security following last week’s attack on the US Capitol.
This decision has come hours after his acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, resigned from his post due to the violence at the Capitol a week ago.
Also Read: Union minister Shripad Naik undergoes multiple surgeries after accident, condition stable
Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned that armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states until the president-elect Joe Biden takes the oath, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol.