The National Guard confirmed that up to 15,000 troops will be authorized to be deployed around Washington D. C. ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.
“Right now, we have approximately 6,200 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 6 states and the District of Columbia on the ground in the NCR [National Capital Region] supporting civilian authorities,” said Gen. Daniel Hokanson in a statement on Monday.
The general noted that he’s received requests from the Secret Service, Capitol Police, and Park Police for guardsmen to be deployed in the city.
They have also “been authorized to provide up to 15,000 Guard members to meet current and future inauguration support requirements,” he said. “To date, our troops have been requested to support security, logistics, liaison, and communication missions.”
Washington, D. C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she asked President Donald Trump and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to make a declaration of a disaster for the D.C. area to allow for more resources, adding that public gathering permits should be canceled between Jan. 10 and Jan. 24.
Bowser also urged Americans to avoid the city during the inauguration.
Wolf said Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will start “the Natio… (Read more)
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