November 5th 2024.
According to officials from the National Guard, more than 25 states have expressed their willingness to send troops to Washington if needed in the days following the presidential election and leading up to the inauguration. While the District of Columbia has not made any formal requests for Guard assistance yet, government officials are preparing for the possibility of violence as Congress certifies the election on January 6th and the inauguration two weeks later.
The events of January 6th, 2021, when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's win, have left a lasting impact. In response, approximately 25,000 Guard troops from various states were deployed to secure the city during the inauguration, working alongside local and federal law enforcement to protect the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances, and other key areas.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, chief of future operations for the National Guard Bureau, stated that it is still uncertain how many troops will be needed this year. He emphasized that any deployment will depend on the District of Columbia's requests, but assured that the National Guard Bureau and states are prepared to provide support in whatever capacity necessary.
The decision to send troops will also be based on intelligence reports detailing potential threats to the city and the transition of power. Adding to concerns is Trump's baseless claims of election fraud, which he has used to incite his supporters and create doubt around the legitimacy of the election results. This has only fueled fears of potential violence, with Trump refusing to commit to accepting the outcome of the election.
While the Guard has a long history of providing support for presidential inaugurations, the response for this year's event was unprecedented due to the events of January 6th. In the aftermath of the riot, thousands of Guard troops were brought in to assist with security and other necessary tasks. However, a few states declined to send troops, citing concerns about potential violence in their own states.
As of Monday, 10 states have activated Guard members for the election, primarily for cybersecurity missions, with a total of approximately 125 troops deployed. Additionally, nine states and the District of Columbia have placed around 120 Guard troops on standby, ready to deploy if needed on election day or in the following days, also for cybersecurity and security purposes.
The states currently on standby are Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, but these numbers are subject to change as each state reevaluates their needs. As the country anxiously awaits the results of the election, the National Guard stands ready to provide any necessary assistance to ensure a safe and secure transition of power.
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