02:30Local residents discussed how different the city feels as National Guard soldiers and the security measures that the soldiers helped install were almost the only things visible on the streets of Washington DC on Monday.
US officials have authorised a force of around 25,000 National Guard troops to assist the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies especially for the ceremony, Washington DC, Sunday.
"It's so strange. Washington looks so different from what we see every day. And, it's like a ghost town. With all the barricades and all those things and we only hope after the inauguration things will come to normal and people live peacefully," stated local resident Vijaym.
The Washington Monument, which usually receives large crowds, has been closed following the deadly riots at the US Capitol earlier this month and will remain closed until after the inauguration.
"And, here we are, in a state of emergency in the Capitol house. It's really sad. And I'm teary-eyed all the time when you look at the streets that are empty in Washington, such a lively place. All the business is boarded up," said immigration lawyer Raed Gonzales.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to be officially inaugurated on Wednesday, in a scaled-down ceremony, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of the violent storming of the Capitol.
USA: 'It's so strange' - DC locals discuss heightened security in preparation of Biden's inauguration
Local residents discussed how different the city feels as National Guard soldiers and the security measures that the soldiers helped install were almost the only things visible on the streets of Washington DC on Monday.
US officials have authorised a force of around 25,000 National Guard troops to assist the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies especially for the ceremony, Washington DC, Sunday.
"It's so strange. Washington looks so different from what we see every day. And, it's like a ghost town. With all the barricades and all those things and we only hope after the inauguration things will come to normal and people live peacefully," stated local resident Vijaym.
The Washington Monument, which usually receives large crowds, has been closed following the deadly riots at the US Capitol earlier this month and will remain closed until after the inauguration.
"And, here we are, in a state of emergency in the Capitol house. It's really sad. And I'm teary-eyed all the time when you look at the streets that are empty in Washington, such a lively place. All the business is boarded up," said immigration lawyer Raed Gonzales.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to be officially inaugurated on Wednesday, in a scaled-down ceremony, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of the violent storming of the Capitol.
Local residents discussed how different the city feels as National Guard soldiers and the security measures that the soldiers helped install were almost the only things visible on the streets of Washington DC on Monday.
US officials have authorised a force of around 25,000 National Guard troops to assist the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies especially for the ceremony, Washington DC, Sunday.
"It's so strange. Washington looks so different from what we see every day. And, it's like a ghost town. With all the barricades and all those things and we only hope after the inauguration things will come to normal and people live peacefully," stated local resident Vijaym.
The Washington Monument, which usually receives large crowds, has been closed following the deadly riots at the US Capitol earlier this month and will remain closed until after the inauguration.
"And, here we are, in a state of emergency in the Capitol house. It's really sad. And I'm teary-eyed all the time when you look at the streets that are empty in Washington, such a lively place. All the business is boarded up," said immigration lawyer Raed Gonzales.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to be officially inaugurated on Wednesday, in a scaled-down ceremony, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of the violent storming of the Capitol.