Capitol Siege January 13, 2021

Thousands Of Troops Deployed To Protect Capitol, Inauguration

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Members of the U.S. National Guard arrive at the U.S. Capitol on January 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Pentagon is deploying as many as 15,000 National Guard troops to protect President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, amid fears of new violence. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Washington is a town chock full of symbols. Monument, museums, historical artifacts are everywhere. But at the end of the this presidency, a sickening symbol has come to represent the end of Trump.

American troops are now stationed in the Capitol, not for the ceremonial transition of power, but to protect the building and those who work there from violent Trump supporters and their enablers in the Republican Party.

Just walked into the Capitol to find literally hundreds of troops napping and lining up in the Congressional Visitor Center— as streets around here are largely blocked.

Many are cuddling their firearms, fatigues over their heads to block light, and riot gear in neat piles. pic.twitter.com/vCHAOGMdfA
— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) January 13, 2021

Up to 15,000 troops are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., amid threats of violence leading up to Inauguration Day. https://t.co/SQI4cZ1DKL
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) January 13, 2021

Up to 15,000 National Guard troops are now protecting government buildings. It’s something we’ve seen covering revolutions all over the world. But we never thought we’d see it here, much less in the greatest symbol of our democracy, the Capitol.

Washington itself is now a fortress. Much of the city is cordoned off, fenced up, or closed down. It is a time that is normally reserved for celebration. But Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn into office in a Capitol that resembles an armed encampment.

It’s a day late but it’s going to be harder for pro-Trump mobs to storm Capitol Hill now that authorities have surrounded it with a black fence and lots of police and other law enforcement including National Guard troops. I just checked it out. A very sad commentary on the times. pic.twitter.com/0f17WPncE4
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) January 7, 2021

All this because of a great lie. Trump insists the election was rigged and he’s bringing along his supporters for this fantasy ride.

To all the people who have turned Washington into an armed camp instead of a celebration of democracy:
If you wanted to be heard and remembered, you've succeeded: The shame will never be forgotten and the stink of what you've done will never wear off.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 13, 2021

This post contains analysis and opinion.