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District Guardsmen provide post inauguration law-enforcement support

By U.S. Army Public AffairsJanuary 25, 2021

U.S. Soldiers and Airmen with the National Guard provide security around the U.S. Capitol Building prior to the 59th Presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical mission in support of federal and District authorities leading up to and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration.
U.S. Soldiers and Airmen with the National Guard provide security around the U.S. Capitol Building prior to the 59th Presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical mission in support of federal and District authorities leading up to and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Erica Jaros) VIEW ORIGINAL

The District of Columbia National Guard and National Guard forces from 21 states will support Federal and local law-enforcement partners for the next several weeks.

The D.C. National Guard will provide support to the U.S. Park Police, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Approximately 7,000 National Guard personnel from the D.C. National Guard and various states will continue to provide support, drawing down to approximately 5,000 by the end of January, and continuing through mid-March.

“I am incredibly proud of our National Guard Airmen and Soldiers serving in support of local and Federal law enforcement activities. These missions show the breadth, flexibility and resolve of the National Guard’s sacrifices and service to this nation,” said Hon. John E. Whitley, acting Secretary of the Army.

National Guard service members will support civil authorities by providing security, crowd control, logistical, and safety support to these agencies.

Support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police will continue through the end of January and first week of February, respectively, with approximately 500 service members supporting the U.S. Park Police and 550 supporting the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.

Approximately 600 service members will support the U.S. Secret Service and approximately 5,000 will support the US Capitol Police through mid-March.

The D.C. National Guard will lead the coordination of tasks for all guardsmen supporting these missions.

National Guard members will be postured to meet the requirements of the supported civil authorities, up to and including protective equipment and civil disturbance gear, and arming if necessary.

The acting Secretary of the Army approved the request for support to the Metropolitan Police Department and the former acting Secretary of Defense approved the requests for support to the other three federal agencies.

All personnel supporting Federal agencies and the civil authorities of the District of Columbia will serve in a status under provisions of Title 32, U.S.C., Section 502(f).

The National Guard remains committed to supporting and protecting our nation’s capital along with Federal, State and local law-enforcement partners.

For more information about the D.C. National Guard visit https://dc.ng.mil.

The media point of contact for this operation is the National Guard Bureau media operations at ng.ncr.ngb-arng.mesg.ngb-media-desk-owner@mail.mil.

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