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According to the AP, US defense officials have asked state governors to send reinforcements to protect Washington, DC, amid fears of possible violent protests.
On the night of January 14-15, state governors were ordered to deploy the National Guard to Washington DC, but some said “no,” while others only agreed to send a few dozen, 100 or 1,000. soldiers.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she turned down a request to send at least 100 more National Guard soldiers to Washington DC “I don’t think we can make that commitment safely,” said Ms. Brown. Earlier, the Oregon government agreed to send 30 soldiers, but state leaders concerned about the violence in the state capital, Salem, should save their forces.
The National Guard arrived in the capital Washington DC Photo: AP
By contrast, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont agreed to send 100 soldiers and on 15-1 agreed to send 200 more. And the governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, promised to send 2,000 soldiers instead of the original 1,000. Similarly, the state of Minnesota increased from 130 people to 850 people …
Unidentified US officials told the AP that over the past 72 hours, more than 130 flights had brought at least 7,000 members of the National Guard to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Thousands more on military buses and trucks are also rushing to Washington D.C.
The fence protects the Capitol with armed guards on duty. Photo: AP
General Dan Hokanson, director of the National Guard Bureau, appealed to generals across the country for help, while Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy appealed to state governors for help. “In the midst of a difficult situation, you are seeing the greatness of this country. People come together and help each other,” McCarthy said.
When protesters stormed the Capitol on January 6, just over 100 National Guard soldiers were scattered across Washington DC, guarding checkpoints and subway entrances. Hours later, five people died, the Capitol was in an uproar, and the 1,100 National Guard soldiers in the capital were mobilized.
The following day, 6,200 National Guard soldiers from surrounding states were also deployed in response to potentially violent protests.
Soldiers and sniffing dogs visit near the Capitol. Photo: Reuters, AP
Before Biden’s inauguration on January 20, law enforcement and defense officials estimated that they would need at least 25,000 people to protect the Capitol and the capital Washington, DC. Much of her would be armed. In particular, 21,000 National Guard soldiers will perform duties with the capital’s police and many federal law enforcement agencies on January 20.
The FBI has warned that armed protests could take place outside of the 50 government buildings in the capital, started by supporters of Donald Trump.
Michigan, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Washington are among more than 12 states that have allowed the National Guard to increase security. Meanwhile, Washington DC is currently largely empty, the streets of the Capitol Palace neighborhood are closed, and National Guard battalions are stationed at key locations in the CBD.
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