Washington, DC is on high alert on the day of Joe Biden’s inauguration, as the US Supreme Court is given the all-clear following a bomb threat.
CNN reporter Alexander Marquardt tweeted less than two hours before Mr Biden was scheduled to take the oath of office that a bomb threat had been called into the Supreme Court.
Earlier reports suggested that the building was being evacuated, but Mr Marquardt confirmed that this was false, as NBC News reporter Mark Segraves reported that the Supreme Court had been given the all clear.
The building is currently closed to the public due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and is being patrolled by National Guard troops brought in because of security concerns following the Capitol riots that took place on 6 January.
In a statement to Newsy reporter Sahsa Ingber following the reports , The Supreme Court said: “The Court received a bomb threat, the building and grounds were checked out, and the building is not being evacuated.”
The Supreme Court then confirmed that police officers would remain in the building during the inauguration ceremony.
Read more: Follow live updates and news on Inauguration Day 2021
The parade for Mr Biden’s inauguration ceremony will be virtual this year, due to fears of large crowds gathering in the streets amid the pandemic.
However, following the breach of the US Capitol last week by a mob of pro-Trump supporters, fears of violence have been raised. Five people died and numerous more were injured in the riots.
Security measures have since been increased, and officials told The Washington Post last Thursday that the National Mall in Washington, DC will be completely closed off to the public during the ceremony.
More than 20,000 National Guard troops have also been called up to help protect Mr Biden, amid ongoing security concerns.
Mr Biden is scheduled to take the oath of office at around 12pm on Wednesday to become the 46th US President.
