Feature Image credits: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

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.

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The U.S. Capitol was secured hours after a group of Trump supporters on January 6 breached the building, causing the building to go into a lockdown and forcing lawmakers, staff and reporters to evacuate. DC police confirmed that one woman who was shot by U.S. Capitol Police during the ensuing violence had died. At least three others died in “medical emergencies” near the Capitol grounds, police said. At least 47 people were arrested for curfew-related violations and several weapons, including long guns and hand guns, were recovered. Officials also said that two pipe bombs were recovered, one outside the Democratic National Committee and one outside the Republican National Committee.

Events leading to the Breach:

Protesters walked through the Capitol Statuary Hall, which separates the House and Senate, filling into both sides with U.S. flags, MAGA flags and Trump 2020 flags.

Just after 2:30 p.m. (local time) reporters were advised to “be prepared to get down” in their chairs and relocate.

Members of the US Congress bolted the door and Capitol police drew their guns and pointed them at the door.

At 2:31 p.m., everyone was evacuated from the floor. Police ushered everyone toward the Longworth House Office Building.

Around 3 p.m. (local time) protestors broke through federal barriers and police, and stormed the Capitol building.

 Trump urged his supporters “to go home” in a video roughly two hours after the incident began, adding: “We love you. You’re very special. … I know how you feel. But go home, and go home in peace.” He repeated his claims that the election was stolen from him.

The situation now:

The Senate and House have now reconvened to finish certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win, although some Republican senators are placing objections on confirming the Electoral College results. Earlier, President Donald Trump had called on Vice President Mike Pence to reject the Electoral College votes. However, the VP defied the President and said that he doesn’t have the power to unilaterally reject the Electoral College votes.

Earlier on Wednesday, senators, House members and members of the media were evacuated to undisclosed locations following the breach. VP Pence was evacuated from the Senate chamber around 2 p.m. and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi connected with her caucus from a secure location. Pelosi said in a statement after the besiegers left the building that Congress will work through the night to finish certifying Biden’s Electoral College victory after Trump supporters’ entry into the building prevented lawmakers from certifying the vote earlier Wednesday.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citywide curfew in response to the incident from 6 p.m. on Wednesday through 6 a.m. Thursday, local time. The National Guard was activated, and SWAT teams were deployed by the FBI into the Capitol, following evacuations. The public emergency declared earlier Wednesday has been extended by 15 days in response to the violence.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam also ordered a curfew in the D.C. suburbs of Alexandria and Arlington County from 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 7, local time. He said earlier Wednesday that he would send members of the Virginia National Guard in response to the incident, as well as 200 state troopers.

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