National Guard Presence In DC Upped To 20,000

The Washington Post reports:

Another 5,000 members of the National Guard have been authorized to support Inauguration Day security in Washington, D.C., city officials said Wednesday, increasing the total to at least 20,000 in a rapidly swelling security apparatus focused on the Capitol.

“I think you can except to see somewhere upwards beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in the footprint of the District of Columbia,” acting D.C. police chief Robert J. Contee III said at a news conference.

A defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Pentagon officials were still working through plans for providing additional security support to the inauguration.

Easily hundreds of National Guard troops stationed inside the Capitol Visitor Center. Most are sitting on the ground at rest, looking at their phones or napping. Still others are walking around the building, rifles slung over their shoulders. pic.twitter.com/lG4VIqU3MG

— Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) January 13, 2021

National Guard plan for inauguration expands to at least 20,000 troops in D.C., acting police chief says https://t.co/shJS17CkMG

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 13, 2021