Trump’s Pre-Inauguration Rally Faces Security Concerns Amid Heightened Threats, Warns Former DHS Chief

Donald Trump’s plan to hold a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” in Washington, D.C., on the eve of his inauguration is facing growing scrutiny, especially regarding security concerns. The rally, scheduled for January 19th at Capital One Arena, comes on the heels of a tragic attack in New Orleans and a possible terrorist explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, raising alarms for former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Director Jeh Johnson.

Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Johnson expressed serious concerns about the potential risks posed by the rally. The timing of the event, coming just before the inauguration and amidst a heightened threat environment, could strain security resources, Johnson warned. He spoke with host Jonathan Lemire about the challenges involved in securing such a large-scale event on short notice, especially after the recent incidents.

Lemire prompted Johnson, “In light of our conversation all morning long, let’s talk about security for these events.” Johnson, who oversaw DHS during the Obama administration, explained that the inauguration is designated as a “national special security event,” meaning it requires extensive planning and security measures.

Adding a major rally in the same timeframe would complicate these efforts. “To put in the middle of those two events a very gigantic presidential-level rally presents a significant security challenge in terms of resources, manpower, so it’s not as simple as just throwing a big party on short notice,” Johnson said.

He further emphasized that with the incoming president in mind, proper precautions must be taken. “You’ve got to put a lot of security in place when you have the person about to become president in this current threat environment, which we just talked about a few minutes ago,” he added. Johnson voiced hope that Trump and his team had carefully considered these issues before deciding to host such a large rally under these circumstances.

Finally, Johnson raised questions about the necessity of the event itself, suggesting that many of the people attending the inauguration might also attend the rally. “I would have thought that some of the very same people that are coming to the inauguration would go to the rally, so kind of, what’s the point?” he asked, casting further doubt on the rationale behind the rally. As the security situation continues to evolve, the decision to hold the rally remains under intense scrutiny.