Mass., N.H. Guard to be called to DC
Members of the Massachusetts National Guard have been called up to protect the U.S. Capitol during the inauguration, Gov. Charlie Baker said on Wednesday.
The Republican governor said “a few hundred” local guardsmen could become part of more than 20,000 troops expected to man the Capitol during and leading up to Biden’s inauguration.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is doing the same.
The Granite State is sending New Hampshire National Guardsmen to support a request from the National Guard Bureau to send approximately 50 soldiers and airmen to Washington,
D.C., for the upcoming inauguration.
“We are honored to be a part of such a historic and time-honored tradition, “said N.H. Adjutant General David Mikolaities. “Our guardsmen and women are trained and prepared to support our federal and civilian partners in whatever capacity necessary. They are committed to upholding the values and ideals of our nation’s democracy.”
On Wednesday morning, National Guard members were seen sleeping on the floor of the U.S. Capitol building as lawmakers arrived to begin impeachment proceedings.
The District of Columbia National Guard said it has been authorized to arm troops assigned to security duty on the Capitol grounds.
Up to 15,000 Guard members are expected to be on duty in Washington, D.C., over the next several days in connection with Presidentelect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, the Associated Press reports.
Seeing Guard soldiers in hallways of Congress didn’t go unnoticed.
“In years past, these parts of the Capitol are typically filled with excited school children and constituents. Now, they’re guarded by the National Guard to keep our beacon of democracy safe from the President’s violent mob,” tweeted New York Rep. Tom Suozzi.
A reporter for The Hill noticed the soldiers early on, tweeting: “Reinforcements have arrived in the Capitol ahead of today’s impeachment vote and for inauguration week. All quiet for now.”
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., added in a tweet: “I thank the National Guard servicemembers from Maryland & surrounding states for coming to the Capitol campus to join the Capitol Police in protecting Members of Congress, staff, the press, and all who work here on behalf of the American people. We are grateful for their service.”