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)

By Gary   Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  –  National Guard troops  are departing the U.S. Capitol after being deployed there over the past four months following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection.  There were some 25,000 troops deployed to Washington DC for the  inauguration of President Joe Biden after violence in which Trump supporters stormed the nation’s capital leaving behind a trail of violence and mayhem.  More than 140 people were injured and five persons died either shortly before, during and after the insurrection.  Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré  announced  the National Guard would be leaving the Capitol grounds Sunday May 23 because they’ve accomplished their mission of securing the Capitol, in an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”  Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin thanked National Guard troops on Monday for their service.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard who for the last five months have been standing watch over the Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C. They came here from all 54 states and territories, leaving behind jobs, homes and families, to bolster security at the Capitol in the wake of the dramatic events on January 6th.  Many of them volunteered for this duty, and most of them did so on little notice.  In good weather and bad — sometimes cold and wet and tired — they provided critical capability to the Capitol Police and local authorities.  These airmen and soldiers protected not only the grounds, but the lawmakers working on those grounds, ensuring the people’s business could continue unabated. They lived out in very tangible ways the oath they took to support and defend the Constitution. “

Secretary of Defense  Lloyd  Austin

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)   Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington DC. 

About 1,000 troops will depart the Capitol in the next few days, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing Monday May 24, 2021. 

(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

On March 4, Capital Police requested the Pentagon to extend the deployment of National Guard troops at the U.S. Capital for at least another 60 days amid security concerns of further violence following January’s deadly insurrection. The U.S. Capital remained 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.  In March, About 5,000 National Guard members remained in D.C.,  down from the approximately 25,000 that were brought in for President Biden’s inauguration. 

(credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  National Guard troops on steps of Federal Court near Capital in Washington D.C. Mar. 4, 2021 

(credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  The U.S. Capital remained 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 Jan. 6  riot