Nearly five months after the domestic terrorist attack by Trump supporters on the Capitol, the National Guard units called in to protect the Capitol complex from ongoing threats by right-wing extremists are scheduled to return home, Politico reports.
At one point, more than 20,000 Guard members were stationed in DC from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam were assigned to the nation’s capital after the January 6th insurrection attempt. The Guard members stayed in Washington through the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20th. Currently, about 2,000 remain.
The Capitol Police have come under scrutiny for the lack of preparation in running up to the Trump rally on January 6th, even though multiple local and federal law enforcement had intelligence that Trump supporters were planning on violent action at the Capitol.
“These airmen and soldiers protected not only the grounds, but the lawmakers working on those grounds, ensuring the people’s business could continue unabated,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Monday.