US: 20K soldiers expected in Biden's inauguration

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - More than 20,000 National Guard members are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. next week for US President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, DC Police Chief Robert Contee said Wednesday.

The number of troops could be the largest ever on for any inauguration as the newly-installed chief of police said the amount of law enforcement coming to the District was not seen at this level.

"I've been concerned before today and will be through this weekend, and beyond," Contee told reporters, and said he is worried about "a major security threat" as he reiterated Mayor Muriel Bowser’s call for people not to come to the capital for the Jan. 20 inauguration.

There is no concern about a shortage of National Guard forces that will come from the 50 US states and the District of Columbia to support US Capitol Police, Park Police and Washington Metropolitan Police Department, according to officials.

The massive number comes after a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol building last week in an attempt to stop the process of certifying Electoral College votes for Joe Biden.

The riots caused the deaths of five people.