WASHINGTON — More than two dozen states have indicated they are willing to send National Guard troops to Washington if requested in the weeks ahead the presidential elections and ahead of the inauguration, Guard officials said Monday.
The District of Columbia has not yet made formal requests for the deployment of Guard troops, but officials across the government have been preparing for the possibility that the U.S. Capitol could be rocked again by violence around the border. certification of the elections by Congress on January 6 and the inauguration two weeks later.
About 25,000 guard troops from all over the country poured into Washington in the days that followed the deadly riot of January 6, 2021when thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.
The troops, along with local and federal law enforcement, locked down the city for the inauguration, securing the Capitol, monuments, subway entrances and the perimeter of the central part of the city.
Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, head of future operations for the National Guard Bureau, told reporters Monday that it is not yet clear how many Guard troops will be needed or requested this year. He said it will depend on what the District of Columbia wants, but he noted that the National Guard Bureau and states are leaning forward in anticipation of a request for help.
“We are here to support DC with life support, shelter and transportation – everything they need to prepare for this mission,” he said.
Other officials have said this will also depend on intelligence reports assessing potential threats to the city and the transition of power.
Concerns about possible violence are fueled by Trump’s claims – without evidence – that there is already fraud in the elections. At rally after rally, he has told his supporters that the only way he can lose is if Democrats cheat, and he has repeatedly refused to say whether he will accept the results regardless of the outcome.
Members of the Guard have historically provided support for presidential inaugurations, dating back to that of President George Washington.
But the 2021 event brought a huge response following the Jan. 6 riot that forced lawmakers to flee the Capitol, delaying the certification of the presidential election for hours. In the days that followed, Guard troops poured into the city by the busload.
In 2021, some states declined to send troops, also concerned about violence within their own borders and capitals.
Defense officials said Monday that 10 states have activated members of the State Guard to assist with the elections — mainly by conducting cybersecurity missions. The total number of troops is approximately 125.
In addition, nine states and the District of Columbia have put a total of about 120 Guard troops on standby, ready to deploy if necessary on Tuesday or in the following days – mainly for cyber missions and some security.
Those states are Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Officials said those numbers could change on Election Day as states reassess their needs.