Extraordinary Photos of the National Guard at the U.S. Capitol Ahead of the Biden Inauguration

As the House prepared to vote on impeaching President Trump for a second time, members of the National Guard were deployed to the United States Capitol. 

Their arrival came after a deadly riot at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, that aimed to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 Presidential Election. 

On Monday, Jan. 11, President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20. 

Federal assistance was ordered to the District beginning Monday and continuing through Jan. 24, enabling FEMA to "coordinate all disaster relief efforts" with the purpose of "alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population" and provide assistance in any emergencies that arise, per the declaration. 

The National Guard planned to have up to 15,000 troops deployed to meet current and future requests for the inauguration, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told CNN.

The Department of Defense announced on Tuesday that the National Guard members who are stationed at the U.S. Capitol as part of the amped up security protocols will be armed, according to The New York Times. 

Capt. Chelsi Johnson, spokesperson for the D.C. National Guard, told CNN in a statement, "National Guard members are postured to meet the requirements of the supported civil authorities, up to and including protective equipment and being armed if necessary." 

The chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel Hokanson, told reporters he expected about 10,000 troops in Washington by Jan. 16 to help provide security, logistics and communications.

As the troops were called to the Capitol, many were seen quartering inside the building they are assigned to protect. 

As a result, there have been photos of the National Guard members getting rest on the marble floors of the Capitol. 

Buzzfeed reporter Paul McLeod reported on Wednesday, "I'm told there are about 3,000 total national guard troops sheltering in the Capitol right now."

He added via Twitter that the troops "had to stay here overnight because there was nowhere to put all 15,000 troops being brought into DC for inauguration from various state national guards (eg New York sent 1,000)." 

One group rests in the Capitol while another keeps watch, as is military protocol. 

In one photo (right), Guard members rested beneath a bust of President George Washington. In another photo, a reporter pointed out on Twitter, they are seen resting beneath a plaque that had been dedicated to the troops who quartered in the Capitol building during the Civil War in 1861. 

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. 

As of Monday, Jan. 18, there were more than 21,500 Guard Soldiers and Airmen in the National Capital Region coordinating with civilian authorities responsible for inauguration support. According to the National Guard Bureau, "The U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Service, and U.S. Capitol Police requested National Guard support."

Ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 16, the National Guard Bureau reported that "up to 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and D.C. authorities through the Jan. 20 inauguration."

"I have visited with these Guard men and women every night, and they understand the importance of this mission," said Army Gen. Dan Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. "They are also proven, prepared, and proud to do their part to ensure a peaceful and safe inauguration of our 46th commander-in-chief."

Outside D.C., more than 6,000 members of the National Guard were also protecting state capitols and key infrastructure around the country.

Ahead of the inauguration, the National Mall and the area surrounding it were closed off to the public. 

The move came after the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The Secret Service launched a security operation to protect the inauguration. 

As a result, The Washington Post reported that "vehicle traffic in much of the city will be prohibited or limited to residents and businesses only." Additionally, the D.C. Metro closed stations close to the Mall. 

Security measures are being taken around Capitol building by National Guard soldiers on the day before the inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden. 

According to the National Guard Bureau, "Guard members positioned at or near the Capitol Hill area are working in shifts and are encouraged to rest on designated Capitol-area grounds when they can while others stand watch."

Guard officials added, "But when they are off duty, they have appropriate lodging throughout the District and the National Capital Region."

The sun set on the Capitol on Jan. 19, surrounded by security fencing ahead of the the inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden.