US President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration in Washington DC ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, PTI reported. The state of emergency, which will be effective from Monday, is set to be in place till January 24. 

The move comes amidst threat perception to the event by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which has warned of armed protests in state capitals across the country ahead of next week’s Presidential inauguration. 

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According to PTI, the White House said in a statement that the President’s action authorises the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate relief efforts to ‘alleviate the hardship and suffering’ that may be caused by the emergency.

The declaration also ensures availability of appropriate Federal assistance for emergency measures when required, ‘to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the District of Columbia’.

On Wednesday last week, a violent mob of right-wing, pro-Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol complex, as Congress convened to certify the victory of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the November 3 election. The protest led to the death of five people, including a Capitol Police officer. Trump has been accused of inciting the insurrection, through his speeches and tweets.