''We are aware we are at war," said Terrance W. Gainer, police chief at the Capitol, where the ceremony will be held. ''The whole world will truly be watching. We have to be on guard."
The Jan. 20 inauguration is the latest in a string of major events highly symbolic of US democracy, following the Democratic and Republican party conventions last summer and the election in November. Counterterrorism officials have warned since spring that Al Qaeda operatives are interested in disrupting the democratic process.
To the millions watching the inauguration on television worldwide, the ceremony and parade will look much as it has in the past. But each person attending the swearing-in and parade will be subjected to a search by metal detectors, security personnel, or both. And there will be more Washington streets closed and more security fencing than ever to create a large buffer zone.
''We have it as well covered as it can possibly be," said Michael A. Mason, head of the FBI's Washington field office.
The inauguration is designated a National Special Security Event, giving the Secret Service the lead among about 40 federal agencies involved in security planning and execution. A joint command center has been set up in suburban Virginia to enable top officials at these agencies to make quick, coordinated decisions in the event of an attack, violent protest, or other problem.
''We're going to work as a team," Secret Service spokesman Tom Mazur said.
The extra security measures include bomb-sniffing dogs, sensors to detect chemical, radiological, or biological material, and expanded use of police helicopters and military aircraft. Thousands of police officers from the Washington suburbs and other cities will arrive to help with traffic, crowd control, and other duties.
More will be ready to respond behind the scenes. The FBI, for example, will have investigators, evidence technicians, hostage rescue teams, heavily armed SWAT personnel, hazardous materials specialists, and bomb technicians in place.
''Our whole focus is a smooth operation if something does happen," Mason said. ''We will be able to bring quite a robust force."
The military will have a heightened security role. This inauguration is the first since creation of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, set up after the Sept. 11 attacks to protect the Washington area. It includes all branches of the military.
Based at Fort McNair, Va., the command has access to all manner of military assets.
