Cuomo opts to skip Biden inauguration amid heightened security concerns by Steve Bittenbender, The Center Square | January 19, 2021 12:00 PM Print this article
Citing reports of possible demonstrations in Albany, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Monday he would forego a trip to Washington for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday.
Cuomo told reporters he initially planned on going. However, in wake of the riot that took place at the U.S. Capitol nearly two weeks ago, federal officials have warned of potential protests at state capitals.
The state has prepared, he said, with police officers on standby.
“I have no problem asking our public servants to step up when the time is required … but when I do that, my personal inclination is I like to be there also,” Cuomo said. “I m a little old school. I don t like to ask anyone to do anything that I m not willing to do.”
New York State Team
ALBANY - Two people were stabbed outside the state Capitol on Wednesday after a fight broke out between supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump, State Police said.
Multiple people were arrested after the scuffle between what appears to have been a confrontation between people who associated themselves with the Proud Boys, known as an extreme right-wing group, and Antifa, the extreme left-wing anti-fascist movement, according to the Times Union of Albany.
Just hours before a pro-Trump protest at the U.S. Capitol turned violent and led to a riot through the hallowed halls, State Police in Albany said troopers responded to a stabbing during a small pro-Trump rally in the East Capitol Park.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Just hours after Trump encouraged the crowd at a rally to “take our country back” and his lawyer Rudy Guiliani suggested “trial by combat,” hundreds of people clad in Trump gear, some carrying Confederate flags, climbed the steps of the building, breached barricades, broke windows, and entered the halls of the Capitol an insurrection that threatened the lives of lawmakers inside.
Two hours later, Trump posted a video to Twitter stating that while the election was stolen, “you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our people in law and order.”