Security Preparations, Threats, And News Updates For The U.S. Presidential Inauguaration

US Presidential Inauguration 2005 (Image from Wikimedia)

Downtown D.C. Becomes the Green Zone -- The Danger Room

In addition to a record number of houseguests and an explosion of kitsch, Washington, D.C., is witnessing an unprecedented surge in security for tomorrow's presidential inauguration.

A force of 20,000 police officers, National Guard troops, and plainclothes agents will be on the streets tomorrow to watch over the inaugural festivities. F-16 fighters and Patriot missile batteries will be on alert to defend the capital's airspace. Notes the New York Times:

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More News On Inauguration Security

Inaugural Security: Likely Tightest Ever -- CBS News
Chertoff: Inauguration security forces 'ready' -- CNN
Unprecedented security measures underline magnitude of Obama inauguration -- China View
Inauguration Security: Combination of Manpower and Technology -- ABC News
Tips to FBI about suspicious activity on the rise -- Myway News/AP
White supremacists watched in lead up to Obama administration -- CNN
Inauguration security center to go live Saturday -- AP
Washington Mobilizes 42,500-Strong Security Force for Inaugural -- Bloomberg
Washington Assembles Largest Inauguration Security Force Ever -- FOX News
Washington in lockdown for Barack Obama inauguration -- Courier Mail (Australia)
Welcome, Mr President - and your 20,000 guards -- Sydney Morning Herald
FACTBOX-Security for Obama's inauguration -- Reuters

FBI special force members stand guard at the "We Are One" welcome concert, attended by U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and kicking off the inauguration celebrations, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., the United States, Jan. 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

General News On The Presidential Inauguration

Obama visits with troops, honors King on holiday -- Yahoo News/AP
Obama urges US to honor King by serving others -- Yahoo News/AP
In Obama Remarks, Theme Of 'Responsibility' Emerges -- Washington Post
Obama honors Martin Luther King on inauguration eve -- Yahoo News/AP
Inauguration Celebrations Begin in Washington -- New York Times
Obama Attends Star-Studded Ceremony -- Wall Street Journal
Pride in Country, Few Regrets -- Christian Science Monitor
For Obama, Rare Chance for Bold Start on Big Task -- New York Times
'Welcome to this Celebration of American Renewal' -- Christian Science Monitor
Inauguration crowd will test cellphone networks -- International Herald Tribune
A Behind-the-Scenes Job With Historic Resonance -- Washington Post
Obama Builds on King's Dream -- Washington Times
Big Stars Rock the Lincoln Memorial -- Los Angeles Times
Inaugural week street 'newscasts' lure onlookers -- Yahoo News/AP
What Recession? The $170 Million Inauguration - -ABC News
Networks prepare for inauguration -- Variety
Schedule of events for Obama's inauguration -- AP