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Multiple local police departments from areas surrounding Washington, DC will reportedly refuse to assist with security for Trump’s inauguration on Monday as the swearing-in ceremony has been moved indoors.
The Gateway Pundit reported earlier that President Trump announced his ceremony will be held inside the Capitol Rotunda, citing cold weather. However, there have also been concerns about Trump’s safety following the two recent assassination attempts.
BREAKING: Trump Swearing-In Ceremony Moved Indoors Due to Cold Weather – Trump Releases Statement
Local police refusing to help comes after the Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith announced last week that “nearly 4,000 officers from across the United States who were generous enough to raise their hands and commit their time to assist the Metropolitan Police Department” during inaugural events.
WATCH:
However, several agencies in nearby Maryland, including Montgomery, Howard, and Queen Anne’s County police, have reportedly said they will not be assisting.
The reason they will not help is unclear, but it may stem from internal disputes over Metro PD’s use-of-force policy. DC police agreed in a lawsuit settlement to restrict the use of sting balls or explosive devices on protestors and rioters.
More from NBC Washington:
Per Daily Caller:
More than half a dozen local D.C.-area police departments will not be assisting Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with security for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, the Daily Caller has learned. The MPD has been lambasted by both progressives and conservatives for its methods of policing, and the department refused to answer several questions from the Caller.
The decision by these departments could leave MPD with hundreds fewer officers than they would typically be able to rely on for an event of this magnitude.
While MPD claimed thousands of officers will assist with security, several local departments told the Caller they will not be helping. Most were vague with their reasons for skipping this year’s inauguration, but one department confirmed in an email that it was because of a dispute over a memorandum of understanding (MOU), or agreement between departments, with MPD.
“I was just told that based on the current MOU, we will not be assisting Metro PD,” a spokesperson for Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland told the Caller.
This is a developing story. The Gateway Pundit will continue to provide updates on Trump’s inauguration.
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