In pictures: Amid social unrest and pandemic, an inauguration unlike any other

Joe Biden became the 46th US president on Wednesday, in a barricaded city guarded by more than 25,000 troops and emptied of the spectators who usually throng to the quadrennial ritual (MEE/Umar Farooq)

The National Guard were deployed in the nation's capital to help secure the inauguration, two weeks to the day after a mob attacked the Capitol building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's victory (MEE/Umar Farooq)

Joe Biden supporter David Bates points to an "Impeach" button he is wearing, referring to former President Donald Trump (MEE/Umar Farooq)

One dozen members of the National Guard were removed from their duties after screening for potential ties to right-wing extremism, Pentagon officials said (MEE/Umar Farooq)

Washington DC was a virtual ghost town compared with years past following the 6 January insurrection bid at the US Capitol and Covid-19 restrictions (MEE/Umar Farooq)

Riot shields and other anti-protest gear could be seen lying on the ground near a military checkpoint in downtown Washington (MEE/Umar Farooq)

Roads and bridges into the city were closed to cars and pedestrians, as were the National Mall and other iconic landmarks (MEE/Umar Farooq)

A man stands near a military checkpoint holding a Confederate-era Bonnie Flag, used to represent the Confederate States of America at the beginning of the US Civil War (MEE/Umar Farooq)

A civilian walks past American troops stationed in Washington on Wednesday morning (MEE/Umar Farooq)

A woman walks past a line of soldiers while carrying the American flag (MEE/Umar Farooq)