Scenes from the Capitol: Impeachment votes amid metal detectors, troops

Take your pick of the ways in which the U.S. Capitol is still seeing unprecedented days:

Lawmakers gathered in the House to vote on an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in inciting a deadly assault on the building by his supporters in an attempt to overturn the results of last November’s election — a move which later in the afternoon made him the only president to be impeached twice;
The move comes after Tuesday’s nonbinding resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which allows him and a majority of the Cabinet to remove Trump form office (Pence ignored the request);
They had to walk through metal detectors to cast these votes;
Meanwhile, troops blanketed the building in anticipation of any possible further attacks. They’re part of a contingent of thousands of National Guard troops deployed to D.C. to guard against multiple threats of violence aimed at disrupting the inauguration of the winner of that election, President-elect Joe Biden.

It all made for some unprecedented pictures. Take a look.

<p>The Capitol grounds have been fenced off and guarded by troops since Jan. 6. Over 20,000 National Guard troops are in D.C. “Clearly we are in uncharted waters,” said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.</p>

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A view of the Capitol Dome on Jan. 16 from Constitution Ave. NW. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

The Capitol grounds have been fenced off and guarded by troops since Jan. 6. Over 20,000 National Guard troops are in D.C. “Clearly we are in uncharted waters,” said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.

<p>Bowser is asking D.C. residents to avoid the downtown area entirely, and the city announced that 13 Metro stations inside the security perimeter will shut down for several days.</p>
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A member of the National Guard at a road closure on 18th Street NW near Dupont Circle on Jan. 16. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Bowser is asking D.C. residents to avoid the downtown area entirely, and the city announced that 13 Metro stations inside the security perimeter will shut down for several days.

<p>National Guard members operate under strict rules of engagement on the use of force. But generally speaking, troops can use lethal force to protect the lives of others and themselves.</p>

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Troops talk outside of the Capitol Building on Constitution Ave and 3rd Street NW. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

National Guard members operate under strict rules of engagement on the use of force. But generally speaking, troops can use lethal force to protect the lives of others and themselves.

<p>The FBI has warned that armed protests by violent Trump supporters were being planned in all 50 state capitals as well as in Washington for the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.</p>

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An FBI “seeking information” poster at a bus shelter on Connecticut Ave. NW near Farragut Square on Saturday, Jan. 16. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

The FBI has warned that armed protests by violent Trump supporters were being planned in all 50 state capitals as well as in Washington for the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

<p>Thousands of National Guard troops arrived outside the Capitol’s east front.</p>

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Members of the National Guard march across U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 13, 2021. More than 20,000 armed guardsmen are expected to provide security in the nation’s capital amid threats against the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Thousands of National Guard troops arrived outside the Capitol’s east front.

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Meanwhile, anti-Trump protesters gathered at the Capitol in the afternoon.

<p>Anti-Trump protesters gathered at the Capitol in the afternoon.</p>

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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: U.S. Capitol Police prepare to make arrests as anti-Trump protesters gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote to impeach President Donald Trump later today, after Vice President Mike Pence declined to use the 25th amendment to remove him from office following a violent breach of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob last week. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Anti-Trump protesters gathered at the Capitol in the afternoon.

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The Capitol Police prepared to arrest protesters Wednesday.

<p>Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) speaks to reporters before the impeachment vote.</p>

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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) wears a protective mask while speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) speaks to reporters before the impeachment vote.

<p>Rep. Lisa McClain walks to the House floor.</p>

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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) wears a protective mask while walking to the House Floor at the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote to impeach President Donald Trump later today, after Vice President Mike Pence declined to use the 25th amendment to remove him from office after protestors breached the U.S. Capitol last week. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)

Rep. Lisa McClain walks to the House floor.

<p>Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) gives members of the National Guard a tour of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC.</p>

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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) (C) gives members of the National Guard a tour of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote to impeach President Donald Trump later today, after Vice President Mike Pence declined to use the 25th amendment to remove him from office after protestors breached the U.S. Capitol last week. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) gives members of the National Guard a tour of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC.

<p>The House of Representatives is pursuing an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm the Capitol last week.</p>

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Hundreds of National Guard troops hold inside the Capitol Visitor’s Center to reinforce security at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The House of Representatives is pursuing an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm the Capitol last week.

<p>On Tuesday night, the House passed a resolution asking Vice President Mike Pence to use his power to throw Trump out of office. Pence refused.</p>

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Hundreds of National Guard troops hold inside the Capitol Visitor’s Center to reinforce security at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

On Tuesday night, the House passed a resolution asking Vice President Mike Pence to use his power to throw Trump out of office. Pence refused.

<p>Five people died in the riot by Trump supporters on Wednesday, Jan. 6, including a Capitol Police officer, after the president told loyalists to march on the Capitol, repeating his false claims that he only lost the election because of fraud, and invoking violent imagery more than once, including saying, “When you catch somebody in a fraud, you are allowed to go by very different rules.”</p>

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Hundreds of National Guard troops hold inside the Capitol Visitor’s Center to reinforce security at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Five people died in the riot by Trump supporters on Wednesday, Jan. 6, including a Capitol Police officer, after the president told loyalists to march on the Capitol, repeating his false claims that he only lost the election because of fraud, and invoking violent imagery more than once, including saying, “When you catch somebody in a fraud, you are allowed to go by very different rules.”

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Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, an ally of President Donald Trump, passes through a metal detector as he enters the House chamber, new security measures put into place after a mob loyal to Trump stormed the Capitol, in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Lawmakers had to pass through metal detectors to enter the chamber during the vote. Some Republicans, such as Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, complained about it later.

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House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., right, joined at left by Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., welcomes panel members as he leads a hearing to consider a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to activate the 25th Amendment to declare President Donald Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Tuesday’s resolution passed, but was ignored by Pence.

<p>Security has been increased throughout Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and leading up to the presidential inauguration.</p>

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — JANUARY 13: Members of the National Guard rest in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)

Security has been increased throughout Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and leading up to the presidential inauguration.

<p>The visitor center became a military encampment.</p>

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — JANUARY 13: Members of the National Guard rest in the Visitor Center of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 13, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)

The visitor center became a military encampment.

<p>Guardsmen march out of the visitor center, headed for duty across Capitol grounds.</p>

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National Guard march out of the U.S. Capitol visitor center, under the gaze of the Statue of Freedom, on Jan. 13, 2021. More than 20,000 armed guardsmen are expected to provide security in the nation’s capital amid threats against the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Guardsmen march out of the visitor center, headed for duty across Capitol grounds.

<p>A military vehicle sits in the streets of D.C. on Sunday.</p>

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A military vehicle sits in the streets of Washington, D.C., Sunday as part of heightened security in the nation’s capital ahead of the presidential inauguration. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

A military vehicle sits in the streets of D.C. on Sunday.

<p>A flower sits in fencing that’s lining the streets of D.C.</p>

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A flower sits in fencing that’s blocking off much of the District of Columbia. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

A flower sits in fencing that’s lining the streets of D.C.

<p>Black Lives Matter Plaza is filled with signs condemning President Trump.</p>

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Signs condemning President Trump sit in Black Lives Matter Plaza. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Black Lives Matter Plaza is filled with signs condemning President Trump.

<p>Signs condemning President Trump sit in Black Lives Matter Plaza.</p>

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Black Lives Matter Plaza is filled with anti-Trump signs Sunday. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Signs condemning President Trump sit in Black Lives Matter Plaza.

<p>D.C. streets are blocked by Mack Trucks, as well as fencing.</p>

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Mack trucks block streets in downtown D.C. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

D.C. streets are blocked by Mack Trucks, as well as fencing.

<p>Police cars team up with Mack trucks to block some D.C. streets.</p>

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An unprecedented number of streets in downtown D.C. are closed ahead of the 2021 presidential inauguration. (WTOP/Alejandro Alvarez)

Police cars team up with Mack trucks to block some D.C. streets.

Rick Massimo

Rick Massimo came to WTOP, and to Washington, in 2013 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child. He's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival."