DeWine activates National Guard ahead of potential riots

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine activated 580 National Guard members Tuesday in preparation for what the FBI identified as massive armed protests planned in Columbus and every state capital in the country leading up to Inauguration Day.

“People have the right to protest. They do not have the right to be destructive,” DeWine said during a briefing Tuesday. “They do not have the right to hurt other people.”

“We all saw what happened at the U. S. Capitol. And we know we are very concerned,” he added.

The Republican governor authorized National Guard members from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21 to conduct training and be prepared in case called upon to police the armed riots authorities say are planned at the U. S. Capitol and the Ohio Statehouse. Two hundred additional National Guardsmen will be sent to Washington, D.C.

DeWine is falling in line with several other governors and state law enforcement groups who received a warning from the FBI on Monday to prepare for potentially dangerous riots at capitols in all 50 states. The warnings came after a violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U. S. Capitol last Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to take cover and resulting in the death of five people, including a Capitol Police officer.

Police in Ohio’s capital city are also working with other law enforcement agencies in the area to coordinate a response to whatever planned or unplanned protests arise, Sgt. James Fuqua, a spokesperson for the Columbus Division of Police, told The Associated Press.

He said a “red line” situation has been declared, which freezes time off for all officers without pre-planned vacations. Fuqua declined to discuss specifics of what is expected or how law enforcement will be deployed.