More than 100 Connecticut National Guard to deploy to Washington ahead of inauguration

More than 100 members of the Connecticut National Guard will be deployed to Washington, D.C., as federal officials call in support from across the country to secure the nation’s capital for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden next week.

The contingent will include members of the Connecticut guard’s military police and two canine teams dual-trained for both patrol and explosive detection, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday afternoon.

“The State of Connecticut stands ready to help ensure the peaceful transition of power and protect our democracy,” Lamont said in a statement.

The state’s Air National Guard also has placed a C-130H aircraft and its crews on alert so that they are capable of moving personnel throughout the country if needed, Lamont added.

The Connecticut Guard members will join a growing group of forces deploying in Washington from across the country as federal law enforcement officials prepare for the likelihood of more armed protests around the Jan. 20 formal inauguration ceremony after pro-Trump mobs sieged the U.S. Capitol complex last week.

The FBI has warned armed protests are planned in Washington and in all 50 state capitals in concert with the swearing-in ceremony next week, prompting state and local police to prepare for possible gatherings in Hartford. The state Capitol police have added barricades and extra patrols around the Capitol grounds and are closely monitoring social media for possible plans and threats.