US National Guard should ensure peace and quiet in Washington: Protect and sleep

Icon: enlarge

1/9

The US National Guard is set to calm down Washington after a violent uprising by Trump supporters on January 6.

But the emergency services also need rest in between - and relax in unusual places, like here in a hall of the visitor center in the Capitol.

Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

2/9

These recordings were made on January 13th.

Hundreds of soldiers have gone to sleep in the hallowed halls of democracy.

Apparently there was no better place to stay in the short term.

Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

3/9

Contrary to what was initially planned, the National Guard is also preparing an armed mission.

Here some uniformed men take a nap with their guns next to them.

According to media reports, the Federal Police FBI warned that there could be new violent clashes around Joe Biden's swearing-in as President on January 20.

Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

4/9

Until Biden's inauguration at the Capitol, up to 15,000 soldiers of the National Guard are to be deployed to support the other security forces.

Usually only the parliament building's own police service is active at the Capitol.

Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

5/9

A stairwell in the Capitol also serves as a shelter for some members of the National Guard.

Photo: JIM LO SCALZO / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

6/9

Even in the rotunda of the Capitol, into which Donald Trump's supporters stormed exactly a week ago, some emergency services went to sleep.

Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

7/9

On January 13, the House of Representatives debated another impeachment process against Trump in the Congress building.

This is where the majority leader of the Democrats, Steny Hoyer (right), arrives in Congress - and marches through the sleeping security forces.

Photo: 

JIM LO SCALZO / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

8/9

Numerous streets in downtown Washington are closed and security forces have set up checkpoints.

Mayor Muriel Bowser urged all citizens to avoid the city center until further notice and to only watch the inauguration on the screens.

Photo: SHAWN THEW / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Icon: enlarge

9/9

"Entrance closed": That actually applied to the Capitol on January 6th.

But the crowd instigated by Donald Trump was able to gain access by force, also because the security forces were completely overwhelmed.

Reinforcements from the National Guard arrived late.

Five people died in the uprising.

I don't want that to happen again.

Photo: SHAWN THEW / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

mes / dpa