Authorities in Washington DC are scanning for ‘nuclear irregularities’ while the Secret Service preps for ‘worst case scenarios’ as security preparations kick into high gear ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump will be sworn in for his second term in office on Monday, January 20th.
A report by CBS News reveals how Department of Energy helicopters are flying in grid patterns around the city from only 150 feet in the air in order to ‘scan for radiological or nuclear irregularities.’
Officials are attempting to map a ‘blueprint’ of normal radiation readings over Washington in order to detect anything unusual like potential dirty bombs.
Any slight variation in readings sets off an alarm which is then investigated by the pilots.
The U.S. Secret Service, which has faced criticism for its previous lax security measures around Trump, is also roleplaying ‘worst case scenarios’ that could interrupt the inauguration process.
According to Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Thomas, security measures for Trump’s inauguration will eclipse anything previously seen.
This includes the presence of 25,000 law enforcement officers and military personnel, including 7,800 National Guard soldiers.
30 miles of ‘anti-scale’ fencing around the site of the inauguration will also provide a ‘ring of steel’ to protect the event and its 250,000 attendees.
More than 25 Coast Guard vessels are also in position to patrol the area.
During last month’s concern over mystery drones seen flying around the United States, one theory was that the drones were being flown by the U.S. Military to scan for missing nuclear material.
Trump continues to face a heightened threat after facing three assassination attempts over the last 6 months, with some of his supporters urging him to not even attend the inauguration in person.