300,000 police protect the US President's inauguration

More than 30,000 police officers equipped with all means were mobilized, barricades were erected on dozens of streets, a network of surveillance cameras and metal detectors was set up along the streets and national parks running from the Capitol building through the White House grounds in Washington to ensure security for the inauguration of President Barack Obama's second term.

President Obama's second inauguration will take place over three days from January 20-22, 2013, with approximately 600,000-800,000 people attending, including festivities. The number of people attending Obama's inauguration this year is far below the record 1.8 million people in January 2009 when Obama was the first black politician to become the owner of the White House.

US soldiers patrol the National Mall in Washington. (Source: AFP/VNA)

The US Constitution sets the President's inauguration on January 20. However, January 20 this year falls on a Sunday, so President Obama had to take the oath of office twice before Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts.

On January 20, at 11:55 a.m., five minutes before the end of his first term according to the Constitution, Mr. Obama will take the oath of office symbolically at the White House with the participation of family members and some close officials. Before that, at 8:15 a.m. on the same day, Vice President Joe Biden also took the oath of office at the Vice President's residence.

On January 21, the official inauguration of Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden will take place at the Capitol with about 1,600 guests attending, including members of Congress, cabinet members, judges, military generals, state governors, diplomats and former presidents. In addition to the official inauguration, there will be parades, balls and many other activities. On January 22, the day after the inauguration, President Obama and Vice President Biden will attend a prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, then attend a music program with the participation of many famous singers.

Preparations for President Obama's second inauguration began two months ago. Due to financial constraints, there will be only two official balls instead of 10 as in 2009. The grand parade will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue, running along the National Mall from the Capitol building through the White House grounds.

The official balls will take place on January 21, coinciding with the memorial day for the famous civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The total cost for this year's inauguration is expected to be around $14 million, much lower than the record $170 million of 2009./.

According to (TTXVN) - DT