D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Urges Americans Not to Attend Biden Inauguration

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said Friday that in order to prevent violence during President-elect Joe Biden's January 20 inauguration officials are asking the public not to attend the event.

In press briefing Bowser said: "We have asked Americans not to come to the Washington, D.C. event, but instead to participate virtually, and we know that is the right choice and the best way to keep everyone safe."

Bowser says the city has also discussed with the U.S. Department of Interior the cancelation of public gathering permits in the days before and after the event. Those discussion are ongoing the mayor said.

The mob attack on the Capitol starkly highlighted a longstanding local security paradox: the District of Columbia government lacks authority over much of the area within its borders.

Now as the city braces for a nerve-wracking lead-up to President-elect Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration the city's mayor is seeking increased security and better coordination among the multiple law enforcement agencies involved.

And in the longer-term, last week's security debacle has lent momentum and urgency to the longstanding effort for D.C. to gain direct authority over its National Guard contingent - and the parallel campaign to make it the 51st state.

Bowser said that "The inauguration of the president... puts in place an entirely different command and control structure within the federal government." Adding "we are very confident about that type of coordination."

Following last week's insurrection in the capital Airbnb says it will be blocking and cancelling all reservations in the Washington, D.C. area during the week of the presidential inauguration.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Bloomberg Quicktake brings you live global news and original shows spanning business, technology, politics and culture. Make sense of the stories changing your business and your world.

To watch complete coverage on Bloomberg Quicktake 24/7, visit or watch on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Fire TV and Android TV on the Bloomberg app.

Have a story to tell? Fill out this survey for a chance to have it featured on Bloomberg Quicktake

Connect with us on…

Breaking News on YouTube