The US National Guard said it would deploy 8,000 service members from approximately 40 states to Washington to support Donald Trump's 60th presidential inauguration. Troops from the US National Guard in Connecticut, Virginia and Pennsylvania set up a security perimeter around the National Gallery of Art in the city on Saturday ahead of Trump's inauguration on Monday. Perimeter security will include traffic control and patrolling metro stations. Earlier on Saturday, before Trump arrived in the US capital, thousands of protesters took to the streets for women's rights, racial justice, and other causes they believe are under threat from the incoming administration. A similar albeit much larger protest march took place in 2017, ahead of Trump's first inauguration. Demonstrations against the incoming president are much smaller this time, as many progressive voters are navigating feelings of exhaustion, disappointment and despair after Vice President Kamala Harris' loss in the November election. Many activists share that women's rights movements seem more fractured after Trump's victory against Harris. Inauguration Day is primarily a traditional ceremony to mark a new president getting sworn into office and moving into the White House. However, Trump pledged to sign a stack of executive orders starting on his first day in office. The president's swearing-in usually takes place on the steps of the Capitol. However, a last-minute decision to move the ceremony indoors was made after freezing temperatures were forecast in Washington. — Euronews
