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President-elect Joe Biden will no longer take an Amtrak train to Washington until inauguration day next week, according to a person familiar with the plans. It is not yet clear how Mr. Biden will get to the inauguration.
On Tuesday, Biden’s team was still planning the train arrival event, CBS News was told. But the sudden change in plans came as the president-elect was briefed on Wednesday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secret Service of the security concerns surrounding the day of the inauguration, following the attack on the Capitol on January 6.
A spokesperson for Biden’s inaugural committee declined to comment on the change in plans.
“The team is working with the current administration to get as much information as possible about the threat’s image and the preparations in place to deter and defend against disruption or violent attacks,” the team said on Wednesday. Biden’s transition team in a statement. .
“The transition of power from one administration to another is a touchstone of American democracy,” the statement added. “President-elect Biden’s team will receive daily briefings on security and operational preparations to ensure the transition goes smoothly.”
Biden’s arrival by Amtrak train would have reflected his decades-long journey to Washington from Delaware as a United States Senator. Biden was quick to brag about the millions of miles traveled by train over the years.
CNN was the first to report the change in travel plans.
A spokesperson for Biden’s transition confirmed to CBS News that Lisa Monaco, President Obama’s former homeland security adviser, will serve as the temporary homeland security transition adviser surrounding the inauguration.
“Ms. Monaco will assist the President-elect and work with the new National Security Advisor, the new Homeland Security Advisor and current security and law enforcement officials, including with state secret services.” United, on their plans for the inauguration. Given the current threats, Ms Monaco’s temporary role will focus only on the period leading up to the inauguration, ”said a spokesperson for the transition.
Monaco has been appointed by Mr Biden to take up the post of deputy attorney general. The transition said Monaco “will suspend the activities and engagement related to his appointment as Deputy Attorney General. This is a time when everyone is ready, but the goal is to hand over quickly and transparently full accountability to the new Homeland Security Advisor. and team as soon as possible. “
The spokesman also reaffirmed that the transition continues “to push for swift confirmation after the confirmation hearing of Alejandro Mayorkas on January 19” to be the next secretary for internal security.
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