Transcript of Press Conference with Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge Regarding 2005 Inauguration Security

Release Date: 01/11/05 00:00:00

Press Conference
Washington, DC
January 11, 2005

Secretary Ridge:  Thank you, thank you.  Thank you very much, Director Basham.  It's not exactly sunscreen weather, but it's still nice to do the event outdoors, and for you to have a quick glimpse at not only the men and women, but the technology that we bring to bear in a coordinated fashion around the designation of the Inaugural as a National Special Security Event.

I do have a couple thoughts I want to share with you, but I think it's important to note at the outset that the people and the organizations that are represented here in person and with this equipment have been working together for years and years on many, many occasions.  And as everyone talked with me privately, talked about how better the collaboration is, the coordination, they exchange video feeds, they're connected to them with wireless -- these organizations, in a certain sense, represent what the Department of Homeland Security tries to do nationally, and that's integrate capacities and abilities at all levels of government and all jurisdictions because, together, they are an extremely strong force.

And I just want to thank everyone here for their work and their preparation today but, again, it's not just the past few days in anticipation of this event.  These people work together all the time on all the events in the national capital region.  So this is not an on-the-job training exercise.  They do it regularly and they do it well.

I'm sorry that Mayor Williams can't be here.  I guess he's under the weather.  He's probably been hanging around outside without a topcoat for a couple of days, and whatever.  I wish him well.  Chief Ramsey, Chief Dwight Pettiford of the United States Park Police, General Galen Jackman, Military District of Washington, Robert Cobb, City Administrator, as I said before, Director Basham -- I want to particularly thank all of you for being here with us this morning.

Ten days from now, the nation's 55th Inauguration ceremony and celebration will take place.  In 1789, George Washington stood in his homemade suit, placed his hand on the Bible, and pledged his service to a new country.  John Adams suggested that Washington be referred to as "His Most Benign Highness," but a couple others preferred simply "President of the United States."  And I'm sure that there's another George W. that is grateful for that.

Today, as we prepare for the 55th Inaugural, we wanted to convene publicly to assure all of you that the local, state and federal government is as prepared as possible to thwart any attempts at disruption of this celebration of democracy, to thwart terrorists and to protect the hallmark of our democratic and constitutional traditions.

I have over the past couple of weeks received extensive briefings on all aspects of the planned security around the event:  the parade route, and other security measures surrounding this celebration.  We have seen today firsthand the immense resources and the meticulous preparations that have been put in place to ensure not only the safety of those individuals who come to celebrate the Inauguration, but also the safety and security of the D.C. citizens.  These resources will cover all aspects of the Inauguration, including the Oath of Office, the parade, and the Inaugural balls.

For more than a year, the Department of Homeland Security's Secret Service, in full coordination and cooperation with our partners at the federal, state and local level, has led the design and the implementation of the security planning, they have conducted comprehensive security assessments of all convention venues and they have coordinated multiple, multiple interagency training exercises to fine tune these security procedures.  

Additionally, you should know, that from within our agency, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other component agencies have been fully engaged in these security efforts.  And of course, due to the sensitive nature of these security operations, many of the details of the security protocols that we will deploy must remain classified.

However, I can tell you that, as with the case of each of last year's political conventions -- you could probably refer to your notes -- we'll have patrols in the harbor and surrounding waters providing security, led by the United States Coast Guard.  We will have mobile command vehicles positioned at strategic locations to coordinate communications across multiple law enforcement agencies, and basically to ensure that any vital tips of pieces of information is shared in a timely manner, and if we have to act upon it, we will act upon it.

We will have 24-7 surveillance of key Inaugural facilities, as well as portable x-ray equipment to examine packages, as well as commercial vehicles and delivery trucks entering these areas.  In addition, we will deploy trained Homeland Security personnel to augment the work of local law enforcement.

We anticipate there will be about 6,000 law enforcement personnel here from dozens of federal, state and local agencies.  We will utilize record numbers of canine bomb teams.  We're spending a great deal of money in the Department of Homeland Security very appropriately on the technology of detection, but you get back to the basic canine team, they're about as good as they get.

We'll increase security at hotels to protect both the buildings and the ventilation systems, and we will monitor and protect key transportation systems.

Now, in addition to all of the technology and the additional security professionals, the vigilance of local law enforcement, fire personnel, private businesses, hospital workers, state and local government officials and D.C. citizens is critical.  Inauguration attendees and residents of this great city also have an integral role to play in the security of this very, very important democratic symbol.

We're just going to remind everyone, as often as we can, to remain vigilant.  If you see any suspicious items or activities, we just ask you to go up to one of those local law enforcement personnel and report it.  Vigilance is the added level of security that those who are participating in the Inaugural events and the citizens of the community can add to our security effort.

You can well imagine that the security for this occasion will be unprecedented.  Protective measures will be seen; there will be quite a few that are not seen.  Our goal is that any attempt on the part of anyone or any group to disrupt the Inaugural will be repelled by multiple layers of security.

More work will continue over the remaining days.  I can tell you that the security will be at the highest levels that they've ever been for any Inauguration.  Federal, state and local officials, represented by the individuals that join me on stage, are working hard and working together around the clock to ensure we leave nothing to chance.

Our system of government is rooted in the sovereign principle of democratic authority bestowed by the people.  And the people, both the Inauguration participants and city residents, are resolved to go forward with an event that so deeply reflects that ideal.  

The theme of this year's Inauguration activities is, "Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service."  It is a theme of life that has rallied America, citizen to citizen, for more than 228 years.  It truly is the heart of the American character.  

And on Inauguration Day and, for that matter, every day of the year, Americans will continue to work together to uphold and to defend the freedoms and the democratic traditions that have been so long enjoyed by generations of our fellow citizens.

Again, I commend everyone that's been involved for the past year in preparation of this historic event, and we'll look forward to finishing our preparation and conducting the celebration of democracy as scheduled next Thursday.

Yes.  Right here, yes.

Question:  Mr. Secretary, have you had the chance to talk with Judge Chertoff yet?

Secretary Ridge:  Yes, yes.

Question:  Can you tell us a little bit about your conversation?

Secretary Ridge:  Yes.  Shortly after the President announced the judge's succession to me as Secretary of Homeland Security, I had a wonderful conversation with him.  I do not pretend to know him well.  I know him by reputation.  He's got great intellect, great energy.  He has been an extremely successful lawyer in both the public and the private sector.  We talked a little bit about making sure the transition goes as smoothly and effectively as possible.  Frankly, I really look forward to working with the judge.  He comes well-equipped by experience and temperament and background to be a very effective and capable Secretary.

Question:  Mr. Secretary, do you agree with the decision, apparent decision, of the federal government to use District funds, Homeland Security funds, for this Inauguration, considering some of those funds are going for basics, like bleachers?  Do you agree with that decision?

Secretary Ridge:  Well, I -- the request that has been made of my Department, and which we approved, was using some of the money for additional security measures, which is something that the mayors of Boston and New York and others have done from time to time.  I'm not aware that they're expending any of these dollars for any infrastructure improvements.  But they are entitled and eligible to use those dollars for overtime costs.

So because money is fungible, maybe taking money out of the city's pot that they might have otherwise put into overtime, and we're just basically replacing that with overtime dollars.

Yes.

Question:  Can you talk about any information that you have about disruptions to the Inauguration, either by terrorists or protestors?

Secretary Ridge:  There's very little to talk about, because there is no specific threat directed toward the Inaugural or the Inaugural activities.  You know, back in March and April, there was quite a bit of discussion that we picked up with regard to the election year threat.  Within the Department, we just, again, not getting too comfortable with some kind of calendar beginning and end to what the threat would be, planned through Inauguration Day.

But the fact that you, as I said the other day, the decibel level is down, doesn't really mean that we would ever be less vigilant.  They are strategic actors.  This is the most visible manifestation of our democracy, when the people in power, two elected individuals to lead the country as President and Vice President.  So there's very little intelligence, but we're as vigilant as ever.  As I said before, it's unprecedented level of security around this Inaugural.

Sir?

Question:  Will the threat level be raised during this period?

Secretary Ridge:  No.  There is nothing that we've seen, not just today, but over the period of the preceding several weeks, that gives us any reason to even consider, at this point, raising the threat level.  We've had this discussion many times before.  Normally, it's an aggregation of information we receive that we conclude is credible over a period of time.  But there's absolutely nothing out there that would suggest we should even think about it.

Sir.

Question:  Sir, do you think you will run for public office again, maybe President one day?

Secretary Ridge:  No, I think what I'm going to do is spend the last three weeks working very hard to make sure my successor hopefully can -- I know he will be successful, to build on the foundation that 180,000 people have created for him.  I'm going to step back and exhale, and I don't know what I'm going to do after February 1st.  I don't have any -- I have no idea.

A couple more.  Sir.

Question:  What was the overall federal spending for the Inaugural?  Have you got a ballpark figure of how much money is going to be spent on this?

Secretary Ridge:  I do not.

Question:  Can you give us a general idea --

Secretary Ridge:  I'm sorry?

Question:   Can you give us a general idea of how much the security will cost?

Secretary Ridge:  I don't.  I mean, first of all, it's in the millions and I don't know how many millions.  We'll get that information for you.  But just -- we haven't calculated it yet.  The fact of the matter is, this is something that we have to provide unprecedented level of security; we will do that.  

It is the greatest manifestation as to who we are and what we stand for in our country, and whatever we need to do to ensure the safety of the participants and the citizens of the city around the Inaugural, we will do.

Question:  Thank you.

Question:  Mr. Secretary, your schedule has you leaving for London on Friday.  Is that still on?  And does that affect your time here, considering --

Secretary Ridge:  Oh, sure.  I mean, look, I'm going over Wednesday afternoon; I'll be back Saturday.  I'm going to three countries.  We've got some things to do with some of our partners in the European Union and other bilateral work.  We're doing a couple of countries over there.  It's something, as I've said, I will continue to be the Secretary as long as I'm Secretary, and this has been on the books for quite some time and matters we have been working on for months, if not years.

Thank you very much.

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