EXCLUSIVE: A group of House Republicans are asking the Department of Defense to inform them of why it is necessary for the National Guard to remain on Capitol Hill, amid plans to keep them there until March.
The 12 lawmakers – including Reps. Michael Waltz, R-Fla .; William Timmons, RS.C .; Elise Stefanik, RN.Y .; Chris Stewart, R-Utah and Lance Gooden, R-Texas – wrote to Acting Army Secretary John Whitley for a briefing on reports that the National Guard will maintain a presence of at least 5,000 troops in March.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL GUARD IN THE CAPITAL OF THE NATION EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF MARCH
“Our intention is that the briefing will cover ongoing threats to the Capitol, the justification for the decision by a significant presence of troops by mid-March, and plans to use the troops during the period,” says the letter, obtained by Fox News.
A National Guard spokesman confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday that there were plans to keep National Guard members on Capitol Hill until mid-March.
“As we continue to work to meet the final post-tenure requirements, the National Guard has been asked to continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies with 7,000 members and will reduce it to 5,000 by mid-March,” said a National Guard spokesman. Bureau, Wayne Hall Fox news.
“We are providing assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics and security support for state, district and federal agencies.
About 13,000 guards still remain in DC supporting federal agencies with security efforts. The DC National Guard will remain under orders until March 31, a spokesman said.
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This means that the National Guard will be on site for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, which is scheduled to begin on February 9. Politico said there was concern on March 4 – the date that some QAnon members believe Trump will open for the second half.
The troops were initially deployed after the January 6 Capitol riots, which saw Trump supporters storm the Capitol while the Electoral College vote was being certified. Five people, including a police officer, died during the riot – which also saw lawmakers evacuated.
NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS ORDERED HOME BY THE GOVERNORS IN RESPECT OF OFFENSE FOR BEING CHANGED TO THE PARKING GARAGE
The initial deployment came amid fears that there could be a similar threat of violence during the inauguration day.
Republican lawmakers, in their letter, noted that members of the National Guard are deployed in the short term: “In addition, the Guard suffered unprecedented stress in the force last year due to COVID-19, social unrest, national disasters and requirements international standards. “
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“The National Guard should be used as an option of absolute last resort,” they wrote. “We are seeking clarification and justification on behalf of the men and women of the National Guard who have kept us safe for the past month and year.”
There was also controversy over the treatment of troops on Capitol Hill. Govs. Ron DeSantis, Chris Sununu, Greg Gianforte and Greg Abbott announced last week that they are bringing their National Guard troops back after reports that they were put in a parking lot to rest during their shifts.