WASHINGTON D.C. – A massive security presence took over parts of Washington D.C. this week as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn in Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.
The threat of political violence was replaced with a feeling of overwhelming protection.
That protection remained in place well past Wednesday’s inauguration, leaving some locals to wonder when the military and police presence will subside.
Celebrity chief Jose Andres converted his close restaurants in the shut down zone into operations to feed the National Guard and police officers lining the empty parade route.
“Especially at night, hot soups not only to security forces but many homeless that unfortunately in the city, traditional NGOs are unable to access them,” said Chef Andres.
Among the visitors from out of town for Wednesday’s events were a mother of five from Atlanta and a lone flag bearer from Philadelphia, who walked around where he could amid the layers of security.
The Miami-Dade Police Department Rapid Deployment Force that traveled to the Nation’s Capital to assist with the day’s events were on patrol before dawn, posted along the Inauguration parade route.
There was no crowd for them to control, though.
The core of the capitol city had 10 miles of concrete barricades and 25 miles of fencing installed, guarded by 40,000 National Guardsmen, Federal Agents and local police.
Protests that had been planned for Inauguration Day were cancelled after the events of Jan. 6 when rioters stormed the Capitol Building.