(credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) National Guard troops on steps of Federal Court near Capital in Washington D.C. Mar. 4, 2021
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – Capital Police is requesting the Pentagon to extend the deployment of National Guard troops at the U.S. Capital for another 60 days amid security concerns of further violence following January’s deadly insurrection. The U.S. Capital remains on high alert patrolled by thousands of National Guard troops and police with sharp razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the entire building to deter any more potential violence following the infamous Trump-inspired riot. About 5,000 National Guard members remain in D.C., down from the approximately 25,000 that were brought in for President Biden’s inauguration. Capital Police are also asking for nearly $620 million in total spending, an increase of almost 21 percent over current levels to pay for new equipment, training and an additional 212 officers.
“Today, US Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman formally asked the Department of Defense to extend the support provided by the National Guard to remain at the Capitol beyond March 12th. Wednesday, Acting Chief Pittman testified to the House Legislative Branch Subcommittee that threats to members are up 93% during the first two months of this year compared to last year. The Department takes its mission seriously and will do whatever is necessary to achieve that mission. The USCP is extremely grateful for the Department of Defense and the National Guard support provided since January 6th. We understand the Guard has a tremendous service need back home responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
-Capital Police Statement March 4
The U.S. Capital Police is reportedly in possession of intelligence of a potential plot by a militia group to storm the historical building again. Two months ago, Trump loyalists breached the iconic building on the Hill in an act of unprecedented violence many dubbed as domestic terrorism. The Pentagon is reportedly reviewing a draft request from Capitol Police to extend the deployment which started after the January 6 insurrection. March 4 was supposed to be the day Donald Trump would be restored to the presidency and unleash a holy war of sorts on all his political enemies. This according to a pro-Trump conspiracy theory spawned by some QAnon followers. Amid the threats, the House of Representatives cancelled Thursday’s session. However, President Biden remains the President of the U.S. a day later.
(credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) National Guard troops on duty in front of U.S. Capital building fortified with barricaded fencing and razor wire in Washington D.C. March 4, 2021
In January, 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.
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 two months. 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.”
