5,000 National Guard troops to remain in DC through March despite no disruption on Inauguration Day

The National Guard will maintain a presence in Washington, D.C. with a minimum of 5,000 troops remaining in the nation’s capital through at least mid-March, a spokesman revealed over the weekend.

‘As we continue to work to meet the final post-inauguration requirements, the National Guard has been requested to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with 7,000 members and will draw down to 5,000 through mid-March,’ Major Matt Murphy of the National Guard Bureau told The Epoch Times on Saturday.

He continued: ‘We are providing assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety support to state, district, and federal agencies.’

Thousands of National Guardsmen and women were deployed to Washington, D.C. over the last few weeks after the storming of the Capitol on January 6. There were concerns another major demonstration or attack could be coordinated for Joe Biden‘s inauguration.

 

At least 5,000 National Guard troops will remain in Washington D.C. through mid-March

The presence was requested as a D.C. homeland security official said: 'We do anticipate that there will be another National Special Security Event occurring in the joint session of Congress'

The presence was requested as a D.C. homeland security official said: ‘We do anticipate that there will be another National Special Security Event occurring in the joint session of Congress’

More than 26,000 National Guard troops were on duty January 20 for Joe Biden's Inauguration

More than 26,000 National Guard troops were on duty January 20 for Joe Biden’s Inauguration

The massive militarization of the nation's capital came after the January 6 storming of the Capitol by thousands of pro-Trump protesters

The massive militarization of the nation’s capital came after the January 6 storming of the Capitol by thousands of pro-Trump protesters

While more than 26,000 National Guard members from all over the country were on duty on January 20 as part of a massive militarization of the nation’s capital, there was little to no disturbance.

According to several agencies, troops experienced no security threats.

Overall, three people were arrested in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day.

A massive exodus of troops was seen following inauguration – the number of on-duty guardsmen and women decreased from more than 26,000 on Wednesday to 10,600 as of Thursday.

Officials are planning ways to return even more troops to their home states in the coming days as at least three governors have now requested the return of their National Guard members.

Since Inauguration, Republican Governors Chris Sununu from New Hampshire; Ron DeSantis from Florida; Greg Gianforte of Montana; and Greg Abbott of Texas all announced they are bringing their troops home from Washington.

‘I’ve ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guard from Washington D.C.,’ Sununu said in a tweet. ‘They did an outstanding job serving our nation’s capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions.’

Abbott said on Twitter on Thursday: ‘I have instructed General Norris to order the return of the Texas National Guard to our state.’

DeSantis said in a tweet Friday night: ‘Last night, I ordered our Adjutant General to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the National Capital Region.’

The Florida governor has echoed the disenchantment of other state leaders with how the FBI vetted all troops brought into Washington, which resulted in at least 12 being removed.

He told ‘Fox & Friends’ it was time for troops to leave the ‘half-cocked mission.’

Legislators expressed outrage earlier in the week with how their reservists were being treated while deployed in the nation’s capital.

Pictures emerged early on showing members sleeping on the floors of Congress and more recently it was revealed they were now ordered to spend their time resting in the middle of 12 hour shifts in a parking garage.

U.S. Capitol Police denied telling the guard to leave the U.S. Capitol. Lawmakers have vowed to figure out what happened.

At least four governors are recalling their troops back to their respective states after ire ensued when images emerged of National Guardsmen and women being forced to take their breaks in a parking garage

At least four governors are recalling their troops back to their respective states after ire ensued when images emerged of National Guardsmen and women being forced to take their breaks in a parking garage

In the middle of 12 hour shifts, service members were told if they needed a nap or break they needed to use parking garages rather than the halls of Congress

In the middle of 12 hour shifts, service members were told if they needed a nap or break they needed to use parking garages rather than the halls of Congress

‘We remain an agile and flexible force to provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and its surrounding areas,’ a National Guard Bureau spokesperson said. ‘Our troops are going to hotel rooms or other comfortable accommodations at the end of their shifts.’

While many guardsmen and women are returning to their respective states soon, a D.C. homeland security official claims there are still threats that require a military presence in the district.

Christopher Rodriguez said the city is requesting continued support from the Guard with traffic management and crowd control through January 30.

He said: ‘we do anticipate that there will be another National Special Security Event occurring in the joint session of Congress.’

Rodriguez said the numbers of troops needed is still being calculated.

‘Some agencies are requesting continuity of operations, additional support, and recuperation time for their forces to regroup. Approximately 7,000 National Guard personnel are anticipated to provide that assistance through the end of the month,’ the guard said in a statement on Thursday.