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Govs. Ron DeSantis, Chris Sununu and Greg Abbott announced that they were bringing their National Guard troops back from Washington, DC after learning they had been stationed in a parking lot near the Capitol to rest during their shifts, a decision that provoked outrage over the treatment. service members.
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) ordered troops to move their rest area during their 12-hour shifts from inside the Capitol to the parking lot of the Thurgood Marshall Court Center, the National Guard said Friday.
But USCP acting chief Yogananda Pittman rebuffed the claim in a statement.
“I want to assure everyone that, with the exception of specific times on the inauguration day itself while the swearing-in ceremonies were underway, the United States Capitol Police did not ordered the National Guard to vacate the Capitol building, ”Pittman said. “And on the day of the inauguration, the guard was notified and encouraged to reoccupy the spaces of the Capitol and the CVC at 2 p.m.”
Pittman continued, “It was brought to our attention early today that facilities management with the Thurgood Marshall Forensic Office building contacted the National Guard directly to offer use of its facilities.”
The location of troop breaks was changed early Friday, with troops now authorized by the Commander of the U.S. Capitol Police Guard to take their breaks near Emancipation Hall.
“We remain an agile and flexible force to ensure the safety and security of the Capitol and its surroundings,” said a spokesperson for the Bureau of the National Guard. “Our troops go to hotel rooms or other comfortable accommodation at the end of their shift.”
But DeSantis, a Republican, still brings the Florida National Guard back to the Sunshine State.
NATIONAL GUARD BREAK TIME IN CAPITOL-AREA GARAGE MAKES LAWYERS SMOKING
“Last night I ordered our adjutant general to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the National Capital Region,” he said in a tweet Friday.
National Guard troops leave a garage amid controversy over whether soldiers have been ordered to rest there during their 12-hour shifts.
(National Guard)
On “Fox & Friends”, reacting to the controversy, DeSantis also decried the background checks of National Guard troops for radicalism before the inauguration and called the massive effort to protect the Capitol a “half-armed mission. at this stage.”
DeSantis’ move follows a similar move by Abbott, also a Republican.
“I tasked General Norris with ordering the return of the Texas National Guard to our state,” Abbott tweeted Thursday night. Abbott had also filed a similar objection against DeSantis over background checks of National Guard members.
Sununu, the GOP governor of New Hampshire, also announced that he was recalling the National Guard from his state, saying the soldiers “should be kindly commended and not subjected to substandard conditions.” But the indignation of the soldiers sent to rest in a garage was hardly partisan.
“If this is true, it is scandalous,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., in response to an initial report on the situation by Politico. “I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
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Meaning. Tim Kaine, D-Va, also condemned the situation. Tom Cotton, R-Ark .; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Jeff Merkley, D-Ore .; John Boozman, R-Ark .; and Maggie, Hassan, DN.H., among other Senators and a litany of House members.
Merkley specifically donated the conference rooms and his office bathrooms to members of the guard. Police at the United States Capitol Building said in a statement earlier Friday that they “greatly appreciate” the National Guard’s assistance in recent days.
“The United States Capitol Police greatly appreciate the full support of the United States National Guard in helping to secure the Capitol Complex prior to and including the inaugural ceremony. The Department is grateful for their service and strong partnership during this period.” U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement.
He continued, “ The Department’s National Guard request for assistance included a specific number of staff to enable the National Guard to provide, at a minimum, 12 hours of off-campus rest for troops, and included that this would be done throughout their deployment. “
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“Recently, the Department requested that the schedules of troops be changed so that they do not work more than 8 hours to allow more time off campus after the inauguration,” added the police of the United States Capitol. “The Guard is reviewing demand so logistics and schedules can be adjusted.”
The increased threat level to the Capitol came after a pro-Trump mob stormed and ransacked the building on January 6, as members sat in a joint session to certify the election results presidential.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, along with hundreds of lawmakers, have been forced to hide from the crowds.
Fox News’ Brie Stimson, Chad Pergram and Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.
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