The Pentagon, FBI, & National Guard Gear-Up For A Rough Week Ahead
Up to 15,000 National Guard member will be deployed to Washington D.C. after receiving authorization by the Pentagon on Monday.
Up to 15,000 National Guard member will be deployed to Washington D.C. after receiving authorization by the Pentagon on Monday.
The deployment of the National Guard precedes the inauguration of Joe Biden as president on Jan. 20.
National Guard Bureau Chief General Daniel Hokanson said that he anticipates upwards of 10,000 troops to be deployed to Washington D.C. by Saturday.
“Right now, we have approximately 6,200 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 6 states and the District of Columbia on the ground in the NCR [National Capital Region] supporting civilian authorities,” Hokanson said in a statement.
“We have received support requests from the [Secret Service], Capitol Police, & Park Police, & have been authorized to provide up to 15,000 National Guard members to meet current & future inauguration support requirements,” Hokanson tweeted on Monday.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has also urged tourists to stay out of the city on the Inauguration Day, January 20.
Hokanson told reporters that the Guard is also looking at any issues across the country following an advisory by the FBI which warns of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals.
“We’re keeping a look across the entire country to make sure that we’re monitoring, and that our Guards in every state are in close coordination with their local law enforcement agencies to provide any support requested,” he said.
The internal FBI bulletin warned that nationwide protests could take place this week, and that they expect activity through Inauguration Day, according to law enforcement officials who gave details to The Associated Press.
“Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the U.S. Capitol from 17 January through 20 January,” the bulletin said, according to one official.
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