As elected officials and curious onlookers flock to the nation’s capital ahead of President-elect Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, which will now be held indoors due to extremely cold temperatures, police remain on alert for prolonged wolf attacks.
“Lone wolf actors are always extremely important to law enforcement personnel trying to protect the people attending these events,” Sergeant Matthew Fagiana, a retired patrol commander with more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, told Fox News Digital. “One of the reasons they are always a concern is that they can be very unpredictable and are driven by extremist ideologies.”
The threat from potential lone wolf actors was heightened after a machete-wielding suspect tried to get through a magnetometer and X-ray security screen as Trump honored former President Carter. The suspect is a 44-year-old man was granted pretrial parole following a hearing just days before Trump’s inauguration.
“The federal partners who are tasked with gathering intelligence, the people who are tasked with protecting the dignitaries who are present on Monday, will know where this person is,” Fagiana said. “It’s not like he’s out of sight, out of mind. And that goes for anyone who made a credible threat. They’ll make sure they know where that person is.”
The sun rises behind the U.S. Capitol as rehearsals take place on the Western Front ahead of the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
Fagiana noted that in addition to Secret Service personnel, there will be a host of additional law enforcement forces, including the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, as well as state soldiers from surrounding countries.
It also shed light on what police look for in potential lone actors who could raise warning flags.
1. Unusual body language:
Body language is key, Fagiana said.
“Are they nervous? Are they fidgeting, or do they hang out in a certain restricted area for too long?” he said. “Stamping is another sign, it’s one of those involuntary actions that someone who’s nervous will do.”
2. Unintended reactions:
Officers are trained to spot unusual reactions that can lead to the discovery of a suspicious person, Fagiana said.
“If someone is sweating a lot and it’s January, it’s going to be really cold,” he said. “Again, it’s one of those involuntary body reactions that can happen when someone is extremely nervous.”
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They follow all kinds of things with their body language, he said.
Inauguration of Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1985 President Ronald Reagan also held his swearing-in ceremony indoors. (CQ roll call via Getty Images)
3. Spotting unusual clothing:
“Also noting if the clothes are appropriate for the season.” he said. “For example, in the summer, if we’re covering the Fourth of July parade, and someone shows up in heavy material and a lot of heavy coats, that person is definitely worth watching.”
Fagiana noted that some events are moving inside, like Trump’s swearing-in ceremony moves indoors due to record lows, will help the authorities. Former President Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 was the first time a president took the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda.
“Because some of those events have been moved inside, it will help the officers with protection, because it’s a controlled environment,” he said.
“I would pay particular attention to the inaugural parade,” he said. “There will be thousands of eyes on those events.”
Former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk in the inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue ahead of his first term in office. Trump is now preparing for his second Inauguration Day of the year, January 20, 2025, for which he has raised a record number of funds. (Evan Vucci, USA Today Network) (Evan Vucci/USA Today Network)
Tips for helping the police:
Practice situational awareness:
Fagiana said the public’s help in flagging unusual behavior to the police is crucial, stressing the need to raise awareness of the situation.
“The reality is that no matter where you are in the world today, you have to have good situational awareness,” he said. “Unfortunately, and we’ve learned through many events over the past few decades, the unexpected can happen anywhere, anytime, and in any city.”
“People need to put their phones down and look around and see what’s going on,” he said. “Know who’s around you, because situational awareness is key for the public, because if you notice some of these things, they can speak to an officer who can investigate the matter, if necessary.”
He recommended that you “trust your gut,” and if you’re told something seems out of the ordinary, share your concerns with a nearby officer.
“I think that will be appreciated by all law enforcement agencies,” he said. “I think it applies everywhere. Not just to the inauguration on Monday, but it’s a good habit for our daily lives, as well as whenever we’re in public.”
Preparations are being made ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Associated Press)
How the public can help:
The US Capitol Police Department has shared a list of prohibited items on Capitol grounds for January 20. The list of 50 items included items from bicycles, umbrellas and liquids. Read the full list here.
“We understand that normal people will inadvertently bring something that maybe they shouldn’t. Someone might bring an umbrella, just because it’s routine, or someone might bring a bag that’s not clear,” he said. “That’s why there is a buffer zone, and the police will prevent you from going through it [to the main event].”
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“It gives the police time to prevent that item from entering,” he said. “We just don’t want those types of items anywhere near the conservation area.”
