National Guardsmen pour into D.C. to respond to pro-Trump rioters
Top Pentagon officials have said repeatedly in recent weeks that the military would have no role in determining the outcome of the election.
It took defense officials about 30 minutes on Wednesday to work through questions about Bowser’s request for additional support, make a determination to grant it and get the approval of the defense secretary, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said during a press conference with the mayor.
“A lot of questions were asked, little bit of confusion but as we worked through it we made the determination about a half hour later to mobilize the entire D.C. National Guard,” McCarthy said.
The Pentagon came under heavy criticism in June when National Guardsmen helped clear Lafayette Square of peaceful protesters in order for President Donald Trump to stage a photo op in front of a church holding a Bible. On Monday, the Guard announced that its personnel would be unarmed and would not wear body armor.
On Wednesday, after McCarthy got off the phone with Bowser, he worked with acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller to find a solution.
The Department of Justice will lead the operation, Hoffman said. A second defense official said these Guardsmen will be armed if Bowser approves it.
Washington’s neighboring states are also sending personnel to respond to the incidents. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said on Twitter that members of the state’s National Guard as well as 200 Virginia state police will help respond to the riots after consulting with congressional leaders. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also tweeted that he was sending in about 500 Guardsmen.
Thousands of Trump supporters descended on the capital to protest President-elect Joe Biden’s victory after Trump spent weeks making false claims about election fraud. The rioters quickly overwhelmed the Capitol police, breaking into the building and even reaching the Senate floor.
Lawmakers and staff were either evacuated or asked to shelter in place. The building has since been cleared of rioters.
Because the District of Columbia is not a state, requests to activate the National Guard must be approved by the Pentagon. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told her the demand for additional troops had been approved by the administration. Miller later said in a statement he had consulted with Vice President Mike Pence and top congressional leaders, but did not mention Trump.
“Our people are sworn to defend the constitution and our democratic form of government and they will act accordingly,” he said.
