Two looming crises the United States currently faces lent an eerie feeling to the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Jan. 20.

The continuing threat of COVID-19 and concerns the nation would face another day of violence like the nation experienced just two weeks ago left the celebration unrecognizable from previous inaugurations.

In Washington, D.C., 25,000 National Guard troops from across the country flooded the streets in preparation for any attempts at another attack on the Capitol. Streets were barricaded blocks away from the building. The National Mall, usually packed shoulder-to-shoulder with spectators, was closed to the public. Thirteen Metro stations were closed, public busses were rerouted and trains passed through stations without stopping.