POLITICO obtained photos of the guards huddled in the parking lot, sleeping on the floor.
All National Guard troops were told to vacate the Capitol and nearby Congress buildings on Thursday, and to establish mobile command centers outside or in nearby hotels, another guard confirmed. They were told to take their rest breaks during their 12-hour shifts outdoors and in parking garages, the person said.
The guards who spoke to POLITICO did not receive a clear reason as to why they were asked to vacate the buildings. The first guard said it may have been due to a complaint that some soldiers were not wearing masks, but he denied that was the case.
“We have a strict orientation that masks should be worn at all times, unless soldiers are eating and drinking,” said the Guard.
Capitol Police asked troops to change their rest area on Thursday, said Guard spokesman Maj. Matt Murphy.
“As Congress is in session and the increase in pedestrian and business traffic is being conducted, the Capitol Police asked troops to move their rest area,” said Murphy. “They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heating and bathrooms. We remain an agile and flexible force to ensure the safety and protection of the Capitol and its surroundings. “
The guard’s leadership has not made the decision and is “doing its best to provide shelter for troops who are still on 12-hour shifts protecting the Capitol and the fields of Congress,” said the second guard.
“There really may be an important reason for us to leave and it has not been well communicated,” said the second guard.
Troops are particularly concerned that they are huddled in tight quarters with limited access to the bathroom during a pandemic. At least 100 guards tested positive for Covid, according to two guards. Some are quarantined in hotels.
A spokesman previously declined to provide a specific number for troops who tested positive for Covid.
After the images went viral last week of soldiers sleeping on the floor in the halls of Congress, the guards protecting the Capitol were initially provided a cot, POLICY first reported.