Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced unprecedented security measures, saying the city has found itself in “uncharted waters.”

Local and federal officials in Washington, DC, are taking unprecedented security measures ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday. 
While much of the ceremony was already planned to be virtual due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, the armed and deadly insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6 has prompted increased measures, including the deployment of more than 20,000 members of the National Guard to the nation’s capital. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser bluntly requested that people stay out of the city during the inauguration. 
At least five people died as a result of the January 6 insurrection, which was led by supporters of President Donald Trump who believed his baseless conspiracy theory that his loss in the election was the result of widespread voter fraud. There is no evidence to support such a theory.
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From the additional troops to the closure of streets in downtown DC, photos show how leaders in Washington are preparing for the swearing-in of the new administration later this week.