By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Following the presidential election and leading up to the inauguration, more than two dozen states have expressed their willingness to send National Guard troops to Washington if requested, according to Guard officials on Monday.
While the District of Columbia has not yet made any formal requests for Guard troops, government officials are preparing for the possibility of potential violence around the certification of the election by Congress on Jan. 6 and the inauguration two weeks later.
After the deadly riot on Jan. 6, 2021, where supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, about 25,000 Guard troops from across the country were deployed to Washington. They worked alongside local and federal law enforcement to secure the city for the inauguration, protecting key locations such as the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances, and the central part of the city.
Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, chief of future operations for the National Guard Bureau, stated that the number of Guard troops needed this year will depend on the requests from the District of Columbia. He emphasized that the National Guard Bureau and the states are ready to provide support for sustainment, lodging, transportation, and any other needs required for the mission.
The decision on the number of troops will also be based on intelligence reports assessing potential threats to the city and the transition of power. Concerns about possible violence have been heightened by Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud and his refusal to commit to accepting the election results.
Historically, Guard members have played a role in supporting presidential inaugurations dating back to President George Washington. However, the response to the 2021 inauguration was unprecedented due to the events of Jan. 6, which led to a significant deployment of Guard forces.
As of Monday, 10 states have activated state Guard members for election assistance, primarily focusing on cybersecurity missions with a total of about 125 troops. Additionally, nine states and the District of Columbia have approximately 120 Guard troops on standby for deployment if needed, primarily for cyber missions and security purposes.
These states include Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. The numbers of troops could change on Election Day as states reassess their requirements.
The readiness of Guard troops and the collaboration between states and the National Guard Bureau aim to ensure the safety and security of Washington during this critical period leading up to the presidential inauguration.
Originally Published: November 4, 2024 at 5:46 PM MST
