After spending days in the cold securing the United States Capitol after the deadly siege two weeks ago, citizens were asked by National Guard members to leave the Capitol building and move to a nearby garage to rest during their shifts. The decision resulted in a quick condemnation by lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called the move “outrageous.”
Several pressed for it to be reversed. And it was, Thursday night.
The guard issued a statement saying: “Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead, commander of the inaugural task force, confirms that troops are out of the garage and returning to the Capitol building, as authorized by the USCP (US Capitol Police) surveillance commander and troops will take their breaks near Emancipation Hall onwards ”.
One lawmaker who had expressed outrage, Illinois Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth, tweeted, “Update: Troops are already out of the garage. I can go to sleep now.”
At around 3pm on Thursday, Capitol police called on the National Guard to move soldiers using the Capitol’s corridors and open spaces to rest during their shifts, the spokesman told CBS News of the National Guard Office, Matt Murphy.
“While Congress is in session and an increase in foot traffic and business is taking place, Capitol police asked troops to relocate their rest area,” Murphy said. “They were temporarily moved to the garage at Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center with bathing and heating facilities.”
Some 3,500 members of the National Guard were moved out of the Capitol, but not all were in the garage at the same time. During on-call shifts, members cycle to the garage to warm up and take a break, and have hotel rooms to sleep in when the shifts are over.
Some guards expressed their displeasure at moving their rest area to a garage. Although the garage has heating and lights, there are only a few toilets and a limited internet and mobile phone service.
U.S. Capitol police confirmed Friday that they would investigate the matter.
Politico first reported the measure and lawmakers attacked.
“This is outrageous, embarrassing, and incredibly disrespectful to the men and women who keep the U.S. Capitol safe,” said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Democrat. “We need it fixed and we need answers about how it happened.”
South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott also took to Twitter:
Duckworth considered it “unreal,” adding that he could not believe that the very brave members of the service we have been calling for to protect our Capitol and our Constitution these past two weeks would be ordained without ceremonies to leave the building. I will ask for answers as soon as possible. They can use my office. ”
Murphy told CBS News: “As I understand it, they had to go somewhere. There will always be some ruffled feathers, some people won’t like it. The troops continue. which are. doing “.
Capitol police said in a statement Thursday night that the department “greatly appreciates the full support of the U.S. National Guard to help secure the Capitol complex leading up to and include the inaugural ceremony.”
The department said it has recently requested that the shifts of guard members be reduced to allow more off-campus rest time.