With Mall, bridges and streets closed in D.C., the nation prepares for a celebration of democracy mostly devoid of its citizens Emily Davies, Justin Jouvenal, Dan Lamothe, Meagan Flynn The Mall will be shuttered to the public for nearly a week, federal officials announced Friday, the latest in a series of unprecedented security measures that will all but prevent most people from viewing the inauguration in person on Wednesday. The extraordinary measure was just one that was announced Friday as the heavy safety cordon around the nation’s capital tightened. Virginia will shut down four major bridges leading into downtown D.C. ahead of Inauguration Day. And defense officials authorized 4,000 more National Guard troops, swelling the total expected in the city to 25,000.