More than half a dozen local police departments in the D.C. area have declined to assist the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with security for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, the Daily Caller has learned. The MPD, which has faced criticism from both progressives and conservatives for its policing methods, did not respond to multiple questions from the Caller.
This decision may leave MPD with hundreds fewer officers than it would typically rely on for an event of this scale. Although MPD reported that thousands of officers will assist with security, several local departments informed the Daily Caller that they will not be providing support. Most offered only vague explanations for skipping this year’s inauguration, but one department confirmed via email that a dispute over a memorandum of understanding (MOU)—an agreement between departments—was the reason for their decision, the outlet reported.
“I was just told that based on the current MOU, we will not be assisting Metro PD,” a spokesperson for Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland told the Caller. MCPD was not the only department to make that decision. Howard and Queen Anne’s County police departments in Maryland told the Daily Caller they will not participate in inauguration security, even though Howard PD noted that it provided security assistance in 2017. Queen Anne’s County cited “technical difficulties” for its decision to opt out in 2025, and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Department indicated that staffing issues would prevent them from assisting.
Anne Arundel County, the Maryland State Police, and Prince George’s County all confirmed they would assist the Capitol Police—but not MPD—suggesting these agencies have issues specifically with MPD rather than the inauguration itself. Of the nine departments that responded to the Caller, only two indicated they would coordinate with MPD for the event. Frederick City in Maryland plans to send roughly 20 officers, while Loudoun County in Virginia will deploy around 30 deputies, according to spokespersons for those departments.
A source familiar with the situation told the Daily Caller that MPD is bringing in extra resources so their own officers can focus on the security positions where they’re most needed. This arrangement enables local jurisdictions to “handle more serious incidents,” including civil disobedience, the source explained. He noted that the current deployment of officers for the inauguration is in line with previous events.
Meanwhile, the Capitol Police will take a more prominent role in managing security at the inauguration, which has been moved to the Capitol Rotunda, reportedly due to concerns about the weather, according to a statement from President-elect Trump. “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is working closely with our local, state, and federal partners as we prepare for the 60th Presidential Inauguration,” MPD said. “As with any other events in the District, it is our priority to ensure the safety and security of District residents and visitors.”