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Up to 25,000 National Guard troops from around the United States have been authorised to assist law enforcement with security surrounding the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden.
“They are under the command and control of Maj. Gen. William Walker, the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, and are providing security, communications, logistics and coordination with all supported agencies”, Army General Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau said during an inauguration security briefing with Vice President Mike Pence, according to a media release.
“As always, our first priority is to protect people and property — and the safety and wellbeing of our National Guard personnel and their families,” Hokanson said. “I visit with these men and women every night and they understand the importance of this mission. They are also proven, prepared and proud to do their part to ensure a peaceful and safe inauguration of our incoming commander-in-chief.”
National Guard civil support missions are generally conducted to support civil authorities when their capabilities are insufficient to meet current requirements; protect the life, property and safety of U.S. citizens; protect critical U.S. infrastructure; provide humanitarian assistance during disaster response and domestic emergencies; provide support to designated law enforcement activities and operations; and to provide support to designated events, and other activities.
“As you may be aware, the forefathers of today’s National Guard were present for the inauguration of George Washington, and have been part of every inauguration since,” Hokanson said. “I would like to thank our National Guard service members, and their families and employers who make their service possible. While the last 12 months have been unprecedented, we continue to respond to every mission, both here and at home – and overseas — living true to our motto: ‘Always Ready, Always There!’ ”
The length of the missions may vary, but Department of Defense officials have authorised to deploy the Guard for up to 30 days for the inauguration and the surrounding protests, if any. Pentagon officials also okayed requests to have some Guard members armed with either long guns or handguns, particularly those Guard members assigned near the U.S. Capitol.
The deployments come in the aftermath of a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for the second time on Wednesday, making him the first president to be impeached twice.