U.S. Authorities On Lookout for ‘Lone Wolf’ Attacks At Trump Inauguration

Federal, state, and local authorities have dramatically increased security ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s Monday inauguration but have still issued warnings to anyone who plans to be in Washington, D.C., to be on the lookout for potential “lone wolf” attacks.

Trump’s swearing-in ceremony has been moved indoors, ostensibly due to a forecast of extremely cold temperatures in the nation’s capital, but authorities say there are still concerns over potential attacks, especially after Trump was targeted twice during his campaign, nearly losing his life when he was nicked by a sniper’s bullet in Butler, Pa., in July.

“Lone wolf actors are always extremely significant to law enforcement personnel who are trying to safeguard the people that are attending these events,” Sgt. Matthew Fagiana, a retired patrol commander with more than 25 years of experience with law enforcement, told Fox News Digital.

“One of the reasons that they’re always a concern is they can be very unpredictable, and they are driven by extremist ideologies,” he added.

The threat of potential lone wolf attackers rose after a machete-wielding individual attempted to pass through a magnetometer and X-ray security checkpoint while Trump was paying respects to former President Carter. The 44-year-old suspect was granted conditional pre-trial release following a hearing just days before Trump’s inauguration, Fox noted.

“Federal partners that are tasked with intelligence gathering, the folks that are tasked with protecting the dignitaries that are present on Monday, are going to know where this individual is,” Fagiana added. “It’s not like he’s out of sight, out of mind. And that goes to the same for anybody that has made a credible threat. They’re going to make sure that they know where that person is.”

Fagiana, who retired from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 after previously serving with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Gatlinburg Police Department, noted that in addition to Secret Service personnel, numerous other law enforcement agencies would be present, including Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and state troopers from nearby states.

He also revealed some of what law enforcement is looking for in potential lone actors that may raise warning flags, including unusual body language and involuntary reactions.

“If somebody is sweating profusely, and it’s January, and it’s going to be very cold,” he said. “Again, that’s one of those involuntary reactions of the body that can happen when someone’s extremely nervous.”

“Are they nervous? Are they fidgeting or maybe loitering in a certain restricted area for too long?” Fagiana said. “Pacing is another sign; it’s one of those involuntary actions that somebody who is nervous will do.”

Police and federal agents will also be on the lookout for unusual clothing. “Also noting whether the clothing matches the time of year.” he told Fox. “For example, in the summer, if we’re protecting a 4th of July parade, and somebody shows up in heavy material and a lot of heavy coats, that person is definitely worth watching.”

Fagiana pointed out that relocating certain events indoors—such as moving President Trump’s swearing-in ceremony inside due to unprecedented cold temperatures—would be beneficial for the authorities managing the proceedings. As a historical reference, he noted that former President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 marked the first occasion a president took the oath of office inside the Capitol’s Rotunda.

“Since some of those events have been moved inside, it will assist officials with protection, because it’s a controlled environment,” he said.

“I’d keep a special eye on the inaugural parade,” he said. “There’s going to be thousands of eyes on those events.”

The security expert also had some advice for civilians.

“The reality is, no matter where you are in the world today you have to have good situational awareness,” he said. “Unfortunately, and we’ve learned through a lot of events in the last few decades, that the unexpected could happen anywhere at any time and in any city.”

“People need to put their phones away and look around and see what’s going on,” he said. “Know who’s around you, because having situational awareness is key for the public, because if they notice some of these, things they can talk with an officer who can investigate the matter, if needed.”