Federal authorities have announced that up to 15,000 members of the National Guard could be deployed in and around Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20 to act as security for Democrat Joe Biden's inauguration.
"Right now, we have approximately 6,200 National Guard soldiers and airmen from six states and the District of Columbia on the ground in the NCR [National Capital Region] supporting civilian authorities," said Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
The rest of the National Guard units are expected to arrive by Saturday, Jan. 16, and will be staying through Jan. 20.
Hokanson said that he's received requests from the Capitol Police, Park Police and even the Secret Service for more National Guard members to be deployed in the city.
Furthermore, Hokanson states that the National Guard has been authorized to provide up to 15,000 members "to meet current and future inauguration support requirements." (Related: 25 Insane, crazy agendas Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will push on America if they seize power after rigging the elections.)
"To date, our troops have been requested to support security, logistics, liaison and communication missions," added Hokanson in his statement, released on Monday.
"In case you are not already aware, the National Guard has a long and proud history of inauguration support and the forefathers of today's National Guard were present for the Inauguration of George Washington, and we have been part of every inauguration since. As always, our first priority is to protect people and property. The National Guard looks forward to working with our district and federal partners to ensure a peaceful inauguration for President-Elect Biden on January 20th."
Neither Hokanson nor any other spokesperson for the National Guard has stated whether the guard units will be armed while on patrol in the district. However, guard commanders were able to admit that they have access to lethal weapons at the discretion of their commanders.
"We want our individuals to have the right to self-defense," said Hokanson.
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The heightened level of security in the nation's capital is unprecedented. By contrast, during President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2016, there were only about 8,000 National Guardsmen present in D.C.
Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf even said that his department is beginning its "National Special Security Event" operations for the inauguration ahead of schedule, moving the start date from Jan. 19 to Jan. 13.
Democratic Senator of Connecticut Chris Murphy believes that it is unclear whether the current number of National Guardsmen to be deployed to Washington, D.C. will be enough to protect the capital.
Murphy also criticized the lack of a "clear, unified command structure," and insisted that active-duty troops may also be needed to act as an effective and streamlined security response team for active threats.
Hokanson and other federal authorities state that the move was prompted by "events of the past week and the evolving security landscape leading up to the inauguration," referring to the unrest that occurred in the nation's capital on Jan. 6.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has already sent out a memo to police departments across the country warning them that "armed protests" have been planned in Washington, D.C. and in the capitols of all 50 states.
The National Park Service (NPS) has already announced that it will be closing down the Washington Monument and suspending tours from Monday, Jan. 11, until after the inauguration due to "threats of violence."
"Groups involved in the January 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol continue to threaten to disrupt the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021," wrote the National Parks Service in a statement released on their website.
The NPS also warned that other parts of the National Mall and the nearby roadways could be blocked off in the coming weeks.
Both the NPS and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser have discouraged Americans from traveling to the capital to witness the inauguration.
The NPS said that, instead of a large crowd, the National Mall will be populated by 191,500 flags of different sizes that will represent "the American people who are unable to travel" to witness Biden's swearing-in ceremony, and 56 pillars of light which represent the 50 states and six territories that make up the United States.
Biden's transition team has also announced a "pared-down inauguration," ostensibly due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Activities that are usually present during the inauguration, such as the parade and the inaugural ball, are being "moved to a virtual format."
Learn more about the National Guard's recent activities by reading the latest articles at NationalSecurity.news.
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