WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense leaders are reviewing restrictions on the use of force by members of the National Guard and may allow troops to carry truncheons or weapons in Washington, DC, as they prepare for more protests and possible violence around the day. January 20, the Associated Press learned.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The AP Friday that any changes will be determined by intelligence gathered in the coming days about potential threats. But he said they intend to allow troops to carry their M-4 or Berettas 9 mm rifles, and he will know more in a day or two.
The review reflects concerns about the security of Guard troops after deadly riots at the United States Capitol on Wednesday, and also considers legal restrictions that prohibit the use of military personnel for domestic law enforcement.
Allowing troops to carry deadly weapons would go against deep fears about anything that suggests that US military forces are being used against Americans on American soil. And it would require the permission of several authorities, depending on where the members of the Guard were stationed. For example, DC city officials would have to agree for the Guard to carry weapons within city jurisdictions, such as at checkpoints or subway stations. Federal approvals would be required for locations on federal land, parks, monuments and places like the Capitol.
“We will examine intelligence and make a decision the next day or after that,” said McCarthy. “It will only require us to obtain better information, and then we will have to do a risk assessment.”
In June, after a chaotic law enforcement response to Washington street protests over George Floyd’s death by police in Minneapolis, some critics warned of an over-militarized approach to curbing the problem. This was partly due to the military-style clothing worn by some federal police officers, including US Bureau of Prison security forces, and the fact that they do not wear identification marks.
In a letter to Trump a few days after the chaos of June, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanded responses from the administration. “We are concerned about the increase in militarization and the lack of clarity that can increase chaos,” she wrote. “I am writing to request a complete list of the agencies involved and clarifications on the roles and responsibilities of the troops and federal law enforcement resources that operate in the city.”
As a result, the deployment of the Guard in DC this week included a number of restrictions, including that they would not carry weapons. Because they are unarmed, they are usually limited to tasks that prevent them from having direct contact with potentially violent protesters, such as personnel checkpoints.
McCarthy also said he expected better intelligence about protests and crowds.
He complained earlier this week that intelligence about the potential crowd size on Wednesday was “everywhere” – ranging from about 2,000 to 80,000. He said on Friday that there are new plans for more frequent meetings with security forces to review intelligence reports so that authorities are better prepared.
He added that he has already allowed a change. On Thursday night, he said that members of the Guard in DC are authorized to wear their ballistic helmets. The decision was made amid news that a United States Capitol Police officer died as a result of the injuries he sustained during the riot. Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head by a fire extinguisher, said two officers. Officials were unable to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Four other people died during the rebellion, including a rioter who was shot by the police.
As the chaos at the Capitol unfolded, the Pentagon moved to activate members of the Guard in five nearby states, to reinforce the DC National Guard and security forces that were already in the city. In all, 6,200 Guard members have been activated and are expected to arrive in DC in the coming days.
General Daniel R. Hokanson said on Friday that he also reached out to all other states, asking what resources they could contribute, if necessary.
So far, McCarthy said, they will have 850 National Guard members on Capitol Hill, taking 12-hour shifts, as well as 90 more at various checkpoints. He said there was also a request by the Park Police for a quick reaction force of 150 people, which is likely to pass. And he said other orders are coming.
National Guard leaders from neighboring states said their troops are well trained, equipped and prepared to move to DC. They said their soldiers will be sent to DC with all their equipment and weapons, and it will be up to local commanders to determine whether troops will be allowed to carry them, depending on their specific task or situation.
Brig. General David Wood of the Pennsylvania National Guard told reporters during a phone call on Friday that his troops will bring the equipment they have.
He added that the objective will be to reduce the escalation of any situation, and the way in which the weapons will be used “will be based on the situation and the commander’s intention”.
Major-General Timothy Gowen, Maryland’s deputy general, said his troops had been deployed in these types of volatile circumstances in the past and will have the equipment they need to protect themselves.
“I will be happier when they are home,” he said. “But I think we did everything possible to mitigate the risks.”
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AP National Security writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.