Democracy Dies in Darkness

After Capitol riot, 15,000 National Guard members could be deployed in D.C. during inauguration

The expansion comes as lawmakers question extremist views in the military and the ability of U.S. troops to respond quickly in domestic crises

By
January 11, 2021 at 1:31 p.m. EST
Members of the National Guard outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 11. (Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg News)

Up to 15,000 National Guard members could be deployed in Washington during the presidential inauguration, senior defense officials said Monday, as lawmakers questioned the military’s ability to respond quickly to domestic crises and urged a crackdown on possible extremists in its ranks.

The dual discussions come days after a mob of pro-Trump supporters, some armed, forced their way into the Capitol building last week, beat police officers and hunted for lawmakers as Congress voted to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s election win over President Trump.