National Guard Deployed and Armed to Defend Capitol Building Ahead of Biden Inauguration
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From the Left
National Guardsmen protecting Capitol now armed with lethal weapons
The Pentagon has approved National Guardsmen protecting the U.S. Capitol to carry lethal weapons in the days leading up to the inauguration, as law enforcement continues to receive information about credible threats of violence from armed militia groups, two Guard spokespeople confirmed.
As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the Guardsmen who are responsible for security around the Capitol building complex were armed with lethal weapons, U.S. Air National Guard Capt. Chelsi Johnson told POLITICO. The New York Times was the first to report the news.
From the Center
National Guard arms troops providing Capitol security
National Guardsmen providing security at the U.S. Capitol ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration are now armed, the D.C. National Guard said.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy authorized the troops to be armed at the request of federal authorities, the D.C. Guard said in a statement. The troops were armed as of 6 p.m. Tuesday, it added.
“National Guard members are postured to meet the requirements of the supported civil authorities, up to and including protective equipment and being armed if necessary,” the D.C. Guard said. “The public’s safety is our...
From the Right
Officials ramp up Capitol security ahead of Biden inauguration amid threats of armed protests
With just one week until President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, federal law enforcement agencies are launching a massive security initiative as they brace for more violence after a mob of Trump supporters laid siege to the Capitol last week.
Still, the inauguration is set to proceed as scheduled with several high-profile security precautions in place, including enhanced National Guard presence and ramped-up law enforcement by state and local officials. President Trump also declared a state of emergency in Washington, citing the "emergency conditions" of Biden's inauguration.
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