As the number of citizen soldiers declines in Washington DC and things try to resume to some sort of natural?
There will be contingent of troops left in reserve until at least after the Trump impeachment trail…
Sounds smarts and reasonable…
They just have find a good base for them there….
There might be troops stationed there for a LONG Time…..
Former President Donald Trump’s upcoming Senate impeachment trial poses a security concern that federal law enforcement officials told lawmakers last week requires as many as 5,000 National Guard troops to remain in Washington through mid-March, according to four people familiar with the matter.
The contingency force will help protect the Capitol from what was described as “impeachment security concerns,” including the possibility of mass demonstrations coinciding with the Senate’s trial, which is slated to begin the week of Feb. 8.
Despite the threat, the citizen soldiers on the ground say they have been given little information about the extension and wonder why they are being forced to endure combat-like conditions in the nation’s capital without a clear mission….
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Several National Guard units have seen their deployments extended involuntarily, though a majority of Guardsmen remaining in Washington will do so on a volunteer basis. Around 7,000 troops will continue to provide riot security through the beginning of February, with that number decreasing slightly to 5,000 by the time Trump’s impeachment trial begins.
“We are not going to allow any surprises again,” said one Guard member, referring to the widespread lack of preparedness for the insurrection on Jan. 6.
There is also some concern over potential unrest surrounding March 4, the date some QAnon conspiracy theorists believe Trump will be inaugurated for the second time….
image….. Erin Scott/Reuters
Mumbling has begun among lawmakers in Washington about the presence of the 5,000 national Guard troops…
Some Republicans are seeking to cut back the deployment of the troops around the nation’s Capitol and some local’s would like the blockage of the Capitol area to go away….
More…
Pelosi and other’s are more worried about fellow lawmakers with the building….
Some governor’s have brought their citizen solders home….
Others have moved to send replacements …
The deployment could go to late February or early March….
The Pentagon has agreed to keep nearly 2,300 members of the National Guard at the US Capitol until at least late May — a nearly 50 percent reduction from the current force protecting the area.
“This decision was made after a thorough review of the request and after close consideration of its potential impact on readiness,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a Tuesday night statement announcing the move.
The extension, requested by Capitol Police, lasts until May 23.
Kirby said during that time officials may continue reducing the National Guard presence “as conditions allow.”
More….
National Guard Finally Leaves Capitol
Washington Examiner: “Thousands of National Guard troops stationed at the U.S. Capitol since the Jan. 6 riots have left the campus, leaving security solely up to the Capitol Police for the first time in more than four months.”