[앵커]
The inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden is less than a day left. At noon on the 20th local time in Washington, DC, so tomorrow (21st) 2am our time, Biden will be sworn into office. The entire city of Washington, as well as around the Capitol where the inauguration ceremony is held, is in super emergency. There are extreme security checks and strict boundaries. Biden’s inauguration ceremony is expected to be very different from the inauguration ceremony of the previous president. With the exception of the oath of inauguration, almost all traditions and practices will be broken or omitted. Connect Washington.
Correspondent Hong Hee-jung, please tell us in detail from the local atmosphere in Washington, where tension is increasing.
[기자]
Here in downtown Washington DC, many areas have been blocked.
If you look behind me, you can see a lot of state defense forces on the scene that control road access.
According to CNN, the Department of Defense has allowed up to 25,000 State National Guard troops to be put into the inauguration ceremony, which is roughly twice the number of troops attending the ceremony.
In the midst of strict boundaries, the Federal Capitol, where the inauguration hall is located, and nearby major roads are barricades with security fences and trucks.
Background checks are required to pass through each road.
I also passed the checkpoint a little while ago.
Yesterday, just showing the reporter ID passed, but today I was able to see strengthening security, such as scrutinizing the inside of the bag and jacket.
Also, in the green zone around the Parliament Building, a steel fence is installed with a’laser wire’ with a sharp blade like a razor blade.
[앵커]
Biden has been staying in his hometown of Delaware. Did you leave for Washington ahead of your inauguration ceremony?
[기자]
I left Delaware a while ago.
About four hours ago, Biden said his last goodbye before leaving for Washington, DC from his hometown of Delaware.
“I will always be the proud son of Delaware.” Let’s listen for a moment.
[조 바이든/미국 대통령 당선인 : 이곳은 희망과 빛, 무한 가능성이 있는 델라웨어입니다. 여러분의 차기 대통령이자 최고 사령관이 된 것은 진심으로 영광입니다.]
[앵커]
Biden’s inauguration ceremony has been expected to differ in many ways from the previous presidential inauguration ceremony. It is still a very serious Corona 19 crisis. There is also the possibility of terrorism and further riots by President Trump’s supporters. How are they going specifically and what are the differences?
[기자]
Biden’s inauguration ceremony takes place on the western steps of the Capitol.
The official term of office begins at noon on the 20th local time when the inauguration ceremony begins.
Unlike in the past, where hundreds of thousands of people gathered to create a festive atmosphere, this time the number of invitations has been drastically reduced to 1,000.
Also, most events are held non-face-to-face or by video.
Biden will attend Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington DC on the morning of the inauguration.
He was a Catholic, so he chose a church instead of a church.
President Trump has said he will not attend the inauguration ceremony.
In the United States, it is customary for an outgoing president to meet the next president at Portico, the northern front door of the White House, and then travel with him to the Capitol to attend the inauguration ceremony.
But President Trump is not going to be holding a welcoming event to break this tradition, local media say.
It is not expected that the practice of leaving a president to deliver a message of virtue to his successor by writing a handwritten letter that hopes for success will not continue.
Also, this time, the’National Mall’, which crowded the inauguration ceremony due to the threat of corona and terrorism, has been closed.
The National Mall square is filled with 191500 flags, including the stars and stripes and flags of each state, instead of being unable to attend.
[앵커]
It would be the first time I saw President Trump leaving after holding a self-farewell party without attending Biden’s inauguration ceremony.
[기자]
President Trump is reportedly scheduled to hold a self-farewell party at Andrews Air Force Base.
However, local media reported that after requesting a large-scale parade using military bands and an air show of air fighters, the Ministry of Defense was rejected.
However, CNN said that the appearance of the red carpet will be similar to leaving the country when visiting state guests such as simple military chair events.
[앵커]
And finally, let’s look at one more thing. Was President Trump the lowest among all presidents?
[기자]
According to polling agency Gallup, the average approval rating during Trump’s tenure was 41.4%.
The 41.4% is the lowest level since Gallup started the previous presidential approval survey in 1938.
The previous record was 45.4% of former President Harry Truman.
In addition, the last approval rating just before President Trump’s retirement was 34%, the lowest during his tenure.