WASHINGTON — More than 11,000 U.S. troops will provide air defenses and medical and other support in case of a terrorist attack during the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, the U.S. commander in charge of domestic defense said Wednesday.
That’s “not because we see a specific threat, but because (for) an event this visible and this important and this historic, we ought to be prepared to respond if something does happen,” said Gen. Gene Renuart, head of the U.S. Northern Command.
In a session with defense writers, Renuart said about 7,500 active duty military and roughly 4,000 National Guard troops will participate in the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
They will include a contingent on alert to respond to a chemical attack. Others will perform ceremonial roles in parades, reviews, honor guards and so on, Renuart said.
He did not give figures but said a “big chunk” of both active and guard units will do ceremonial work.
The Secret Service is in charge of inauguration security. There also will be some 4,000 local police, 4,000 police from around the country and security agents from other government agencies.
Renuart said planners are working under the assumption that a terrorist or rogue element might try to interrupt the inauguration.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/17/troops-work-inauguration-day-case-terror-attack/
I really hope that the only thing that interrupts his inauguration is a COLB.
...an event this visible and this important and this historic...
If this inauguration is considered more important or historic than any other inauguration, well, gag me with the proverbial spoon. *sigh*
Motorist credited for helping police arrest ‘fake cop’ suspect in Grapevine [ILLEGAL]
Grapevine police are crediting a motorist for alerting them to a man who now faces a charge of trying to impersonate a cop.
The arrest was made around 9:30 p.m. Sunday after a 22-year-old man in a white pickup with flashing lights allegedly followed a car on Texas 360, police said.
The suspect, Adan Ramirez of Grapevine, was being held Wednesday in the Grapevine jail, charged with impersonating a public servant.
snip
Impersonating a public servant, which is a third-degree felony, is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Smith noted, however, that a “hold” was placed on Ramirez by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or “ICE.” The hold indicates he is suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, which makes him ineligible for bond.
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1099356.html