In photos: Washington, shielded by military and police to protect Biden's inauguration

After the Capitol Police failed on January 6 to guarantee the security of one of the most important federal buildings in the country, Washington DC has experienced an extraordinary deployment of uniformed agents in recent days, who have been tasked with ensuring that another violent assault on Congress does not occur, especially when President-elect Joe Biden takes office there on January 20.

Armed members of the National Guard outside the headquarters of the United States Congress, this January 14, 2021.

The most recent images of the Capitol and its surroundings resemble the scenery of a war movie: more than 3,000 National Guard personnel, who rotate 12-hour shifts, have been assigned to the site to provide protection to federal facilities day and night.

More members of the National Guard are deployed to the Capitol on January 14, 2021, a day after the Lower House approved submitting President Trump to a second impeachment trial.

REUTERS

On January 13, as the House of Representatives voted by a majority to subject Donald Trump to a second impeachment trial, several congressmen were seen handing food to soldiers inside the building.

 Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Florida Republican Congresswoman Michael Waltz deliver pizzas to members of the National Guard, gathered at the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. AP

As a precaution against Biden's inauguration, the Secret Service is also preparing to shut down parts of the capital, where there will be agents on watch at key locations such as subway stations.

Private companies such as airlines and hotels have announced extra security measures, such as requiring the registration of firearms and suspending the sale of alcohol. 

Workers install more security fences around the Capitol this Thursday, January 14, 2021. In front are National Guard helmets.

AP

According to the acting chief of police in Washington, Robert J. Contee III, an additional 5,000 soldiers of the National Guard will be deployed to the city to support local law enforcement agencies in the context of the inauguration.

This number could bring the total number of Guard personnel to 20,000, 

three times the number of soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Iraq.

The security fences around the federal building have been strengthened, anticipating more riots in the coming days in Washington, DC REUTERS

"We have comprehensive and coordinated plans to ensure the safety of the Congressional community and the upcoming presidential inauguration," said Gen. Daniel Hokanson, head of the National Guard Bureau.

"Hundreds" of protesters who committed that they broke the law during the assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6 will face charges in the coming weeks, according to the FBI.

REUTERS

According to officials of this corps, its troops in the Capitol will be equipped with M9 handguns and some will carry automatic rifles and shotguns.

Everyone will have riot gear, including helmets and bulletproof vests.

With the dome of the Capitol building in the background, members of the National Guard are photographed in front of their riot gear.

AP

The precautions seem extreme, but they are not.

After the January 6 riots - which left material damage to federal property and five deaths - reports continue to emerge of online calls by Trump's most extremist supporters, who have vowed to return to the fray.

Some 20,000 troops are expected to be deployed to the capital on January 20, to ensure security during Joe Biden's inauguration.

REUTERS

After months of attacking the security of the vote by mail and after several weeks telling his base that the Democrats “stole” the election - something that the courts themselves have refuted - Trump called on Wednesday to stop the violence that he himself encouraged and celebrated : "We love you," he told violent protesters after the attack.

National Guard troops on Capitol Hill rotate 12-hour shifts to provide facility security at all times.

AP

Concerns about security in the capital are such that Biden will no longer take the Amtrak subway to the capital next week for his inauguration, two officials familiar with the planning told CNN.

National Guard troops in the vicinity of the Capitol, January 13, 2021. USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Co

The FBI said this week that more than 160 files have been opened against protesters who broke the law during the assault, but that authorities will see that number grow to "hundreds" in the coming weeks as efforts continue to identify the rioters. many of them non-residents in the capital, and who returned to their home states after the attack.

National Guard troops line up outside the US Capitol in the capital as the House of Representatives votes on the impeachment of President Trump on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. USA TODAY via Reuters

The federal agency has warned other agencies and law enforcement agencies across the country about possible protests by armed extremists in all 50 state Capitols beginning Jan. 16.

Members of the National Guard gathered inside the Capitol Visitor Center on January 13, 2021.AP

Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony will be virtual and is scheduled for January 20 at 11:30 a.m. EDT.

Later, at 8:30 pm, the virtual event 

Celebrando United States

 will be televised through national networks.

It will last 90 minutes and will include the participation of stars like Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi and Ant Clemons.