Top Stories

Washington D.C. is ‘eerily quiet’ amid tight security ahead of inauguration, local official says

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Pennsylvania National Guard Members are currently assisting in Washington D.C. ahead of Wednesday’s historic inauguration.

Security has been dramatically tightened in light of the insurrection two weeks ago. About 23,000 National Guard Members have been called in from across the nation.

About 2,300 of those members are from Pennsylvania and have been tasked with a number of missions.

Channel 11 spoke with Specialist Joshua Adams, part of a team preparing and delivering thousands of meals to individuals in the field.

Adams, a Robinson resident who grew up in Freeport, got the call last week.

“We’re trying to keep everyone safe that’s out here,” Adams said. “They’re needing supplies such as food, water, and anything else we can bring to them to get the mission completed. "

Other Pennsylvania members are assigned tasks ranging from vehicle maintenance to securing the perimeter.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was invited to the inauguration and said it very quiet early Wednesday morning.

“Things are eerily quiet here in Washington D.C. Last night and this morning, the streets are quiet. There’s an awful lot of security, military, police presence, everywhere,” Fitzgerald said.

The inauguration was invitation only this year and Fitzgerald is the guest of a Congressman, who were allowed one guest each.