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EXCLUSIVE: A group of House Republicans ask the Department of Defense to explain to them why it is necessary for the National Guard to remain on Capitol Hill, as plans to keep them there until March
The 12 lawmakers – including Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla .; William Timmons, RS.C .; Elise Stefanik, RN.Y .; Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and Lance Gooden, R-Texas – wrote to Acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley for a briefing on reports that the National Guard would maintain a presence of at least 5,000 troops until in March.
DEPLOYMENT OF THE DC NATIONAL GUARD IN THE NATION CAPITAL EXTENDED UNTIL END OF MARCH
“Our intention is for the briefing to cover the current threats to the Capitol, the rationale for the decision to have a significant troop presence until mid-March and plans for the use of troops during this period,” the letter said. , obtained by Fox News.
A National Guard spokesperson confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday that plans are to keep members of the National Guard in the Capitol until mid-March.
“As we continue to work to meet the final requirements after the inauguration, the National Guard has been urged to continue to support federal law enforcement agencies with 7,000 members and will reduce to 5,000 up to 5,000. in mid-March, “said Wayne Hall, spokesperson for the Bureau of the National Guard. Fox News.
“We provide assistance such as security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics and security support to state, district and federal government agencies.”
About 13,000 guards still remain in Washington, supporting federal agencies in their security efforts. The DC National Guard will remain under command until March 31, a spokesperson said.
COTTON: THE CAPITOL MISSION OF OUR NATIONAL GUARD IS OVER – IT’S TIME TO SEND THE TROOPS HOME
This means the National Guard will be in place for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, which is due to begin on February 9. Politico has signaled that there are concerns about March 4 – the date on which some QAnon members believe Trump will be inaugurated for the second time.
The troops were initially deployed after the Jan.6 riots on Capitol Hill, 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 AT HOME BY GOVERNORS DURING OUTSTANDING AFTER MOVING TO GARAGE
The initial deployment took place amid fears of a similar threat of violence on inauguration day.
Republican lawmakers, in their letter, noted that members of the National Guard are deployed on short notice: “Additionally, the Guard has endured unprecedented stress on force over the past year due to COVID- 19, social unrest, national disasters and ongoing demands abroad. “
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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 over the past month and year.”
There has also been controversy over the treatment of troops on Capitol Hill. Govs. Ron DeSantis, Chris Sununu, Greg Gianforte and Greg Abbott announced last week that they were bringing back their National Guard troops after learning they had been posted in a parking lot to rest during their shifts.
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