Categories: Global

US Army Activates D.C. National Guard to Deploy Troops to Capitol Hill

The US Army is activating the entire District of Columbia National Guard — 1,100 troops — in response to a request from Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, an Army official said on Wednesday.

The troops are being sent to the D.C. Armory and will be deployed to the Capitol and to other points around Washington, the official said.

In a statement, Jonathan Hoffman, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said the Guard had been mobilized and the response would be led by the Justice Department. The decision by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Christopher C. Miller, the acting defence secretary, came as the protesters breached the Capitol.

Mr Hoffman noted that the troops were deployed in “support” of federal law enforcement in the district, reflecting Defense officials’ reluctance to deploy military troops at the Capitol. Defence officials want the authorities in Washington to use the local police and other law enforcement agencies to confront the protestors at the Capitol, with the National Guard troops in support, but not in the lead, to avoid the spectre of a military battling election protests. But the tense standoff at the Capitol, and the breach by Trump supporters, led to the decision, officials said.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Kemi Badenoch Wins Conservative Leadership, Vows Party Renewal, A Return to Traditional Values

Kemi Badenoch has pledged to "renew" the Conservative Party and reclaim voters as she was…

3 hours ago

Peter Obi Criticises Court Ruling Halting Rivers State Funds, Calls for Reversal

Peter Obi has criticised the court ruling withholding funds to Rivers State, calling it disturbing…

8 hours ago

AGF Fagbemi Takes Over Prosecution of #EndBadGovernance Protesters Amidst Allegations of Treason

AGF Fagbemi has taken over the prosecution of 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters, addressing alleged treason and…

8 hours ago

NNPC, ONHYM Advance African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Amid Regional Collaboration

NNPC and Morocco's ONHYM has advanced the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, emphasising regional…

8 hours ago

TCN Restores Power Supply Through Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri Line

TCN has restored power on the Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri line, fully operational again after vandalism halted service.

8 hours ago

Nineteen Injured In Central Israel Following Projectile Launch From Lebanon

Nineteen people were injured in central Israel after three projectiles were launched from Lebanon early…

8 hours ago