President Trump Issues Emergency Declaration for Washington D.C.

Amanda Casanova | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Updated: Jan 15, 2021
President Trump Issues Emergency Declaration for Washington D.C.

President Trump Issues Emergency Declaration for Washington D.C.

President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration order for the District of Columbia ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

The declaration will allow the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help the city in the event of an emergency response.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has already declared a state of emergency in the city last week after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Five people have died as a result of the riots.

Lawmakers are concerned there could be more violence ahead of Inauguration Day.

Biden told reporters on Monday that he would still be taking the oath of office outdoors.

“No, I am not (scared),” Biden said.

Also Monday, Bowser, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan encouraged people to refrain from attending inaugural events because of “last week’s violent insurrection as well as the ongoing and deadly COVID-19 pandemic.”

The emergency declaration is in effect until Jan. 24.

The declaration comes amid changes at the DHS. This week, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf stepped down from his role. He said ongoing court proceedings were part of the reason he would be leaving the office. An administration official told reporters the Capitol riot also led to his resignation.

“I am saddened to take this step, as it was my intention to serve the Department until the end of this Administration,” Wolf said.

After the Capitol attack, Wolf tweeted, “Violence in any form is unacceptable. NO one has the right to attack ANY federal institution regardless of motivation.”

In a statement he said, “Any appearance of inciting violence by an elected official goes against who we are as Americans.”

Also, during the week, Trump withdrew his nomination to confirm Wolf as the official Secretary of Homeland Security. Trump’s team, however, said his nomination was not withdrawn because of his comments.

Pete Gaynor, administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will replace Wolf.

Photo courtesy: ©Kayla Koslosky


Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.



President Trump Issues Emergency Declaration for Washington D.C.