Elected officials and curious spectators flocked to the nation's capital ahead of President-elect Trump's swearing-in ceremony, which will take place indoors as law enforcement remains concerned about prolonged attacks on wolves amid freezing temperatures. Stay alert.
Sergeant Matthew Fagiana, a retired patrol commander with more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, told Fox News Digital: "Lone wolf actors are always extremely dangerous to law enforcement officers who are trying to protect the people participating in these events. "One of the reasons they're always concerning is that they're very unpredictable and they're driven by extremist ideologies."
The threat of potential lone wolf actors intensified as a machete-wielding suspect tried to get through magnetometers and X-ray security screens as Trump paid tribute to former President Carter. The 44-year-old suspect was granted conditional pretrial release following a hearing days before Trump was inaugurated.
"The federal partners who are responsible for intelligence collection, the people who are responsible for protecting the dignitaries who are here on Monday are going to know where this guy is," Faggiana said. "He's not out of sight, out of mind. For anyone who makes a credible threat It's the same thing. They'll make sure they know where that person is."
Police arrested a man after he tried to enter the U.S. Capitol carrying three machetes hours before Trump arrived
The sun rises behind the U.S. Capitol as rehearsals take place on the Western Front ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington, DC, Sunday, January 12, 2025 (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
Faggiana noted that in addition to Secret Service personnel, there will be a large number of additional law enforcement personnel, including the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., and state troopers from surrounding states.
He also shed light on what potential lone actors law enforcement is looking for that could trigger warnings.
Faggiana says body language is key.
"Are they nervous? Are they fidgety or hanging around in a restricted area for too long?" he said. "Pacing is another sign that it's one of those automatic behaviors that nervous people do."
Faggiana said law enforcement is trained to spot specific responses that could lead to the discovery of a suspicious person.
“If someone is sweating profusely and it’s January, it’s going to be very cold,” he said. "This is again one of the unconscious reactions that can occur in the body when a person is extremely stressed."
US Congress machete-wielding suspect granted pretrial release days before Trump inauguration
"They observe all kinds of things through body language," he said.
In 1985, Republican President Ronald Reagan took office. President Ronald Reagan was also sworn in indoors. (CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)
"Also pay attention to whether the clothes match the time of year," he says. "For example, in the summer, if we're protecting a Fourth of July parade and someone shows up wearing heavy clothing and a heavy coat, that person is definitely worth a look."
Faggiana noted that some events will be held indoors, such as Trump's swearing-in ceremony, which was moved indoors due to record lows, which would help authorities. In 1985, former President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated for the second time. This was the first time a president was sworn in in the rotunda of the Capitol Building.
"As some of these activities have been moved indoors, it will help with officer protection because it's a controlled environment," he said.
“I will be paying special attention to the inaugural parade,” he said. "There will be thousands of eyes watching these events."
Former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk along Pennsylvania Avenue during the Inauguration Day parade route ahead of his first term. Trump is currently preparing for his second Inauguration Day of the year on January 20, 2025, for which he has set a record for fundraising. (Evan Watch, USA TODAY Network) (Evan Watch/USA TODAY Network)
Faggiana said it was vital the public helped report unusual behavior to police, highlighting the need for situational awareness.
"The reality is, no matter where you are in the world today, you have to have good situational awareness," he said. "Unfortunately, we know through many incidents over the past few decades that the unexpected can happen anywhere, at any time, in any city."
"People need to put their phones away and look around and see what's going on," he said. "Know the people around you because situational awareness is critical for the public because if they notice some of these things they can talk to an officer who can look into it if needed."
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He recommends "trusting your instincts" and if you notice something that seems unusual, share your concerns with a nearby police officer.
"I think all law enforcement would appreciate that," he said. "I think this applies everywhere. Not just Monday's inauguration, but in our daily lives and any time we're in public, it's a good practice."
Preparations are well underway for Donald Trump's inauguration. (Associated Press)
The U.S. Capitol Police shared a list of prohibited items inside the Capitol on January 20. The 50-item list covers items such as bicycles, umbrellas and liquids. Read the entire list here.
"We know that normal people will inadvertently bring something they shouldn't. Someone might bring an umbrella just because it's routine, or someone might bring a bag that's unclear," he said. Why is there a buffer zone where the police stop you from passing (to the main event).”
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"This gives law enforcement time to stop the item from getting in," he said. "We just don't want these types of items anywhere near protected areas."