20,000 National Guard Personnel to Be Expected by Inauguration Day: Officials
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The number of armed troops to be deployed in Washington D.C. for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration is expected to be more than 20,000, according to local authorities. “You can expect to see somewhere upwards of beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in footprint the District of Columbia,” said Acting Police Chief Robert J. Contee III. Their previous intention was to have 15,000 troops guarding the district. The D.C. National Guard said in a statement: “At approximately 6 p.m. January 12, 2021, National Guard members will be armed in support of the U.S. Capitol security. This was requested by federal authorities and authorized by the Secretary of the Army 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 public’s safety is our top priority.” They also commented about their resting area and the photos …