National Guard troops flood area near US Capitol

National Park Service has closed Washington’s National Mall to general public as part of greatly intensified security ahead of Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration.

closure started Friday morning. It will remain in force at least through Thursday, day after Biden’s inauguration, National Park Service said in a statement.

Secret Service asked for closing.

Thousands of National Guard troops are deployed in nation’s capital as part of extraordinary security, after supporters of President Donald Trump overran Capitol building Jan. 6 as lawmakers were certifying results in Biden’s election victory over Trump.

park service will still allow inauguration activities and permitted free-speech events on National Mall despite closure, it said.

park service said it would allow only small demonstrations for permit holders and would escort any protesters and hold m in designated areas, along with or safety measures.

National Park Service and Interior Department spokespeople did t immediately respond when asked if any protest permits had been granted or applied for.

FBI is warning of potential for more bloodshed. In an internal bulletin issued Sunday, bureau warned of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in coming weeks.

Defense Department officials are scrambling to call goverrs and asking wher y have any more National Guard troops y can send to Washington to help protect Capitol and city.

A defense official familiar with discussions says law enforcement leaders and or authorities have w determined that y’ll need about 25,000 National Guard troops. And y say that number could still grow.

As of Friday morning, officials had commitments from states for close to 22,000 members of Guard. That’s according to official, who wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anymity.

number of Guard officials are seeking to help protect District of Columbia in run-up to Wednesday’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden has increased almost daily.

Defense and law enforcement authorities have been revising numbers as y go through rehearsals and or drills to determine how many and where y need Guard reinforcements to help lock down Washington.