National Guard troops hunkered down at the Capitol building Wednesday night following the House of Representative’s historic impeachment vote as workers toiled into the night setting up additional barricades and a non-scalable fence was erected outside the Trump hotel.
Security measures are being heightened inside and surrounding the Capitol in the wake of the January 6 riot that left five dead and ahead of anticipated violence in the countdown to Inauguration Day.
A total of 20,000 National Guardsman have been authorized to descend on Washington to safeguard the nation’s capital. There are already 6,200 troops on the ground in DC and at least 10,000 more will arrive by Saturday.
The troops are being told to prepare for attacks and possible IED threats after pipe bombs were uncovered in last week’s deadly Capitol rampage.
On Wednesday evening armed camouflage-clad troops were seen resting on the marble floors of the Capitol building and patrolling the grounds. It is believed to be the first time troops have set up camp in the Capitol since the Civil War.
Throngs of guardsmen were seen cradling their guns as they slept in the open on the floor and took turns making rounds of the Capitol grounds.
After dark on Wednesday workers were seen setting up extra barricades around the Capitol and a towering non-scalable fence was placed outside the Trump hotel, located a few blocks away from the White House.
National Guard members hunkered down at the Capitol building Wednesday night following the impeachment vote as buildings in Washington DC are boarded up bracing for more protests in the countdown to Inauguration Day. A view of soldiers resting on the ground of the Capitol Visitors Center after being deployed to secure the grounds of the building Wednesday
At least twenty thousand troops of the National Guard will be deployed in Washington by the end of the week to help secure the Capitol area ahead of more potentially violent unrest in the days leading up to the Inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. A view of troops walking and some resting at the Capitol Visitors Center on Wednesday
Swathes of armed, camouflage-clad troops pictured securing the grounds of the Capitol building on Wednesday. There are already 6,200 troops on the ground in DC and at least 10,000 more will arrive by Saturday
An non-scalable fence was placed around the Trump hotel a few blocks away from the White House by Wednesday evening
Layers of security: Workers pictured setting up additional barricades surrounding the US Capitol on Wednesday evening in a bid to keep potential violent protesters at bay
Boarded up: A view of posters denouncing Donald Trump and voicing support for Black Lives Matter placed on top of barricades surrounding the White House and the US Capitol on Wednesday evening
The scene outside the White House and US Capitol on Wednesday evening after Trump was impeached for a second time, showing streets with heavy security
The Secret Service will take control of inauguration security preparations from today and road closures are now in effect across parts the downtown Washington DC area until after the inauguration. Further perimeters and additional road closures are expected in the coming days. Access to all roads, parking garages and loading docks – including residential and commercial building – in the White House perimeter will be banned from Thursday morning
So far, eight-foot steel fences that are non-scalable have already been erected around the White House, Capitol and other federal buildings, including the Supreme Court.
The National Guard said in a release Wednesday that while some soldiers were seen resting on-duty, there is a designated rest area for troops between shifts.
Officials are ramping up security measures at the Capitol to avoid a repeat on the January 6 riot where swathes of Trump supporters stormed into the building and halted the joint Congress session certifying the presidential election. Rioters were seen swinging from the Senate balcony, entering House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, and clashing with police outside the building.
In the riot, the National Guard took hours to arrive on the scene and disperse the crowds.
The troops, thousands of other law enforcement officers and layers of eight-foot, anti-climb steel fencing are among the reinforcements being used to fortify DC a week out from the inauguration in a bid to protect the capital from any violence.
On Wednesday afternoon, Republican lawmakers Mike Waltz and Vicky Hartzler handed out boxes of pizza to those troops in the Capitol. Hartzler was among the Republicans branded the ‘treason caucus’ for objecting to Biden’s win after the Capitol riots.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed some of the troops outside the Capitol building to thank them for their service just hours before the House of Representatives started debating impeaching President Trump for a second time.
National Guard soldiers pictured with riot shields and helmets heading to the Capitol Visitors Center after being deployed to secure the grounds of the Capitol
Officials are ramping up security measures at the Capitol to avoid a repeat on the January 6 riot where swathes of Trump supporters stormed into the building and halted the joint Congress session certifying the presidential election. Rioters were seen swinging from the Senate balcony, entering House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, and clashing with police outside the building
Working into the night: Trucks with equipment and workers were seen Wednesday night setting up barricades surrounding the US Capitol
Workers pictured laying a barricade on the ground Wednesday night in bid to beef up security surrounding the Capitol
Putting it together: The troops, thousands of other law enforcement officers and layers of eight-foot, anti-climb steel fencing are among the reinforcements being used to fortify DC a week out from the inauguration in a bid to protect the capital from any violence
Trump Hotel: The president’s DC hotel located just blocks from the White House had a non-scalable fence set up around its perimeter Wednesday evening
Closed off: The quiet and empty streets surrounding the Trump hotel with metal barricades set up pictured above Wednesday evening
The quiet scene outside of the Trump Hotel in Washington DC pictured above, surrounded with a towering fence
Blocking traffic: A view of downtown DC with barricades set up in the street to prevent car traffic pictured Wednesday night
Boarding up: Several businesses in DC were seen boarded up Wednesday night as the capital braces for more protests ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration next week
Riot damage: A view of a door to the Capitol building that was damaged in the January 6 riot pictured above Wednesday night
A week before the swearing in ceremony, federal officials have led tabletop exercises to rehearse inauguration security and strengthened coordination between police, the National Guard and federal personnel, according to a Washington Post report.
Secret Service will run the inauguration security and the FBI is overviewing possible threats to DC and state capitals. Officials are also monitoring online posts and message boards about plans from far-right groups to descend once again upon Washington for the inauguration.
On Wednesday FBI Director Christopher A Wray briefed local law enforcement agenices acorss the country about the ‘state of play’ and moved to establish new command posts acorss the country.
The FBI and Secret Service officials have also briefed Biden and his national security aides Wednesday, Biden’s transition team said. Those officials will receive daily updates on security and plans.
National Guard soldiers secure the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States Wednesday
Non-scalable fencing newly installed around the Supreme Court pictured above on Wednesday Wednesday
An Inauguration parade riser stands across from the White House, one week before the inauguration of Joe Biden as President
A large banner with the impeachment clause of the US constitution seen near the US Capitol in during today’s impeachment of US President Donald J. Trump by the House of Representatives
The FBI has already warned of armed protests being planned in Washington and all 50 state capitals in the run-up to the inauguration, including three separate plots to attack the Capitol.
Security experts have said chatter among extremists and Trump supporters on social media about threatening violence in DC and other cities has surged in recent days.
On Wednesday, Acting US Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen warned potential domestic terrorists against further attacks.
‘I want to send a clear message to anyone contemplating violence, threats of violence or other criminal conduct: We will have no tolerance whatsoever for any attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power… including attempts to forcefully occupy government buildings,’ Rosen said. ‘There will be no excuse for violence, vandalism or any other form of lawlessness.’
On Wednesday afternoon Republican lawmakers Mike Waltz and Vicky Hartzler handed out boxes of pizza to those National Guard troops that descended upon the Capitol
Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed some of the troops outside the Capitol building earlier to thank them for their service
The troops could be seen spreading out inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Wednesday morning
Members of the National Guard spread out in the Capitol on Wednesday with some using the base of statues as head rests
Majority Whip James Clyburn walks past members of the National Guard trying to get some sleep inside the US Capitol on Wednesday morning
The troops cradled their weapons and huddled together as they slept inside the Capitol on Wednesday
The troops, which descended on DC in the wake of last week’s MAGA mob riots, were spotted cradling their weapons as they slept on the floor of the Capitol on Wednesday. They are pictured above gathering near the Statue of Freedom inside the Capitol Visitor’s Center
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) greets members of the National Guard in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday morning
Restricted areas have already been established around the White House and Capitol grounds with extra security screenings in place for those trying to get access.
Armed National Guard troops and other law enforcement have been patrolling these areas all week.
Road closures surrounding the White House and Capitol came into effect late Tuesday and will remain in place until after the inauguration.
Access to all roads, parking garages and loading docks surrounding the White House will be banned from Thursday morning. Authorities say that any vehicle within that restricted area will be stuck there until after the inauguration. The restrictions apply to both residential and commercial buildings.
Further perimeters and additional road closures are expected in the coming days.