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Security tight in Lansing, D.C. as inauguration set for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris

Posted at 9:14 AM, Jan 20, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-20 09:14:16-05

(WXYZ) — The United States will welcome Joseph R. Biden as the 46th President of the United States at 12 p.m. Wednesday, and the Capitol in D.C. is looking more like a fortress.

Related: Here's the schedule of events you can expect on Inauguration Day

State Capitols around the country, including in Lansing, are heavily guarded by local and state police, as well as the National Guard.

It comes as the events of Jan. 6 are still fresh in people's minds ahead of the inauguration, an event which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to attend in-person.

Planned protests this past weekend in Lansing were peaceful, but still, security remains tight as the nation prepares to welcome our next president.

President Donald Trump won't be attending the inauguration, an event marked by heightened security around the country after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol just two weeks ago.

"I feel great about going to it, even though it's been a rough couple of weeks hanging onto our democracy here," U.S. Rep. Andy Levin said. "We have this highly-militarized situation, there's a fence around a big perimeter, wire at the top."

On his final day in office, Trump released a 20-minute, pre-taped farewell address, still taking no responsibility for the Capitol assault, but condemning the riot.

"Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated," he said.

State and federal investigators are watching Michigan especially closely for threats of violence this week, though the planned armed protest in Lansing over the weekend was peaceful and only drew a few dozen people.

No groups have planned demonstrations at the Capitol building in Lansing, but there is still an increased law enforcement presence, which could remain in Lansing well into next month.

Vice President Mike Pence will be skipping Trump's farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, but is expected at Biden's inauguration.