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ALBANY – New York’s Governor will not be attending President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Governor Andrew Cuomo says his decision comes amid a rise in threats against state capitols following the insurrection in D.C. earlier this month.
“There have been reports from law enforcement sources that there is talk of doing demonstrations at state capitols and they have done an advisory that state capitols should beware,” said Cuomo.
The Governor says that New York State Police have made preparations for potential demonstrations in Albany and that police are on stand-by.
“I think my place is to stay in New York State given this possible circumstance.”
Cuomo says he talked with President-elect Biden ahead of the ceremony to inform him that he will not be attending.
Though details remain murky, demonstrations are expected at state capitols beginning Sunday and leading up to Biden’s succession of President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
State officials hope to avoid the type of violence that occurred Jan. 6, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, leaving a Capitol Police officer and four others dead.
The FBI has warned of the potential for violence at all state capitols and has said it is tracking an “extensive amount of concerning online chatter,” including calls for armed protests.
Governors across the country are sending thousands of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., where the National Mall has been closed to the general public as part of an intense security effort.
More than a dozen governors also have called out the Guard to protect their own state capitols and aid local law enforcement officers.
25,000 trained & armed troops, multiple layers of fences, security checkpoints going in and out (there are more troops in DC currently than Afghanistan)
You scared Cuomo….
25,000+ troops to “protect” the politicians against the people… maybe it’s NOT the PEOPLE