Capt. Tinashe Machona, a spokeswoman for the D.C. National Guard, said the troops were purposefully positioned that way to ensure the new president’s safety.
“These National Guardsmen were on duty with a mission to protect the president against potential threats,” she said. “Some are facing out to ensure the safety of all.”
https://www.stripes.com/news/us/video-of-national-guard-troops-in-dc-shows-protocol-not-protest-1.659482