Washington, United States
The Pentagon announced Monday that it has authorized the deployment of 15,000 National Guard troops for the investiture of Democrat Joe Biden on January 20, amid fears of more violence by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump .
There are already 6,200 members of the Operational guard in Washington and a total of 10,000 is expected for next weekend, while another 5,000 could be added on the day of Biden’s swearing-in, said General Daniel Hokanson, head of the Department of National Guard’s Office. Defense.
All will come equipped with riot gear and weapons, but so far they have not been allowed to carry them while they are on the streets of the American capital, Explained.
LEA: The FBI warns of “armed protests” in the United States against election results
For now, its mission is to support local police in communications, logistics and security, he explained.
Authorize the National Guard to deploy armed and making arrests would be a “last resort” if the security situation got out of hand, Hokanson said.
The Pentagon and the National Guard, reserve force, were criticized for a slow response Wednesday, when the U.S. Congress headquarters, the Capitol, was invaded by thousands of Trump supporters who overwhelmed a precinct security body without sufficient personnel nor proper preparation. Unleashed chaos left five dead.
But according to Pentagon officials, the National Guard was summoned late and without a riot squad immediately.
“They didn’t anticipate that level of violence,” Hokanson argued.
Earlier, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, anticipating the possibility of tension around the investiture of Biden, called on the general population to refrain from visiting the capital.
“We ask Americans not to” come “to Washington dc for the 59th presidential inauguration on January 20 and, instead, to participate virtually, “he said.