National Guard, Police Aid Inauguration Security

In anticipation of the presidential inauguration on January 20, approximately 8,000 National Guard members from 40 states are arriving in Washington, D.C., to assist with security. The Illinois National Guard is sending 110 soldiers and 30 airmen, with units trained for site security and emergency response. Additionally, the Birmingham Police Department and North Bay Village Police Department are dispatching officers to support security efforts, marking the latter's first involvement in a presidential inauguration. These law enforcement officers will receive training and experience that can benefit their home departments. The inauguration coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, further emphasizing its significance. Security measures are being heightened to ensure a safe environment during the event, which is expected to attract large crowds.