(By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) National Guard soldiers and Capital Police at U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. with razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the historical building Feb. 12, 2021.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Capital remains a fortress patrolled by thousands of National Guard troops and police with sharp razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the historical building to deter any more potential violence following the infamous Trump-inspired riot last month. The National Guard will keep about 5,000 troops present in Washington D.C. through March due to concerns over the potential for unrest. There were some 25,000 troops deployed to Washington DC for the inauguration of President Joe Biden after violence earlier this month in which Trump supporters stormed the nation’s capital leaving behind a trail of violence and mayhem. Shortly after the inauguration of President Biden, troop sizes were reduced, and there are currently about 7,000 National Guard troops in the District of Columbia, primarily conducting security missions in support of district and federal partners. The Guard has been requested to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with about 7,000 personnel for the coming weeks. The thousands of National Guard troops will remain in Washington, D.C., in early March amid concerns over followers of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, some of whom apparently hold out hope former President Trump will be returned to office March 4.
U.S. Airmen and Soldiers with the Alaska National Guard assist local authorities with security near the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Mike Risinger)
Last month the National Guard received four requests for follow-on assistance from federal and municipal partners. The requests came from the U.S. Park Police, U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. and all four requests were approved.
(By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. with razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the entire historical building Feb. 12, 2021.
Republican Lawmakers Question Whether Thousands of Uniformed Troops Are still needed to Secure Capital
The outer perimeter of fencing surrounding the Capitol will likely be coming down in the next month or two, Fox News reported this week . But the fencing around the immediate Capitol grounds – from Constitution Avenue on the Senate side, to Independence Avenue on the House side – would probably remain up until security personnel figure out an overall fencing plan. A week after President Biden was sworn in, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton wrote an op-ed for Fox News stating that contrary to Defense Department and local law enforcement plans, the guardsmen should leave the Capitol grounds as soon as possible.
“I’m aware of no specific, credible threat reporting … that justifies this continued troop presence,” wrote Cotton, a former soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Thus, I believe the rest of these soldiers should also go home to their families and civilian jobs.”
(By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. A truck carrying an ad accusing Texas Senator Ted Cruz of aiding and abetting an insurrection that killed 5 people including a policeman and endangering the lives of members of Congress and Vice President Pence. Feb. 12, 2021.
(By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. with razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the entire historical building Feb. 12, 2021.
(By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) National Guard troops behind perimeter fence at U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. Feb. 12, 2021.
