The 26K Guard Troops in DC Did Not Face a Single Inauguration Security Threat: Top General

National Guard soldiers walk down the street near the U.S. Capitol Building. — National Guard soldiers walk down the street in riot gear near the U.S. Capitol Building Jan 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air National Guard/Staff Sgt. Anthony Agosti)

Military.com | By Matthew Cox

Published January 21, 2021

The 26,000 National Guard troops stationed in Washington, D.C., were ready for anything, but Inauguration Day passed without them facing a single security problem.

"There were no security incidents reported involving the National Guard," according to a National Guard Bureau news release.

The scene at the U.S. Capitol, where Joe Biden took the oath of office to become the country's 46th president, was a stark contrast to the riot on Jan. 6.

The Supreme Court did receive a bomb threat before the inauguration ceremony Wednesday, but the building was not evacuated because it was closed at the time, Business Insider reported.

"Our ability to move 26,000 Soldiers and Airmen to D.C. from every state and territory in less than two weeks would not have been possible without the support of our governors and their adjutants general," National Guard Bureau Chief Daniel Hokanson said in the release. "It speaks volumes about America's investment in the National Guard; and most importantly, the support our service members get from their family and their employers."

He said the next step will be to ensure that federal law enforcement's security needs are satisfied before troops begin to redeploy.

"We will continue to support federal law enforcement as requested," Hokanson said in the release. "Our Guard members will return home as soon as conditions permit."

The force could shrink rapidly, but at a minimum, the 6,200 Guard members mobilized Jan. 7 -- following the Capitol breach -- will remain in Washington through Feb. 7, he told reporters Tuesday. The rest were requested by federal law enforcement to support the inauguration.

Since arriving in D.C., Guard members have been welcomed throughout the city, Hokanson said. "The outpouring of support to our National Guard ... here in the District of Columbia is a story in itself. I want to particularly thank the citizens of the District of Columbia."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

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Related Topics: Military Headlines Army National Guard

Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. During his time with Military.com he covered all the services, with a close eye on Army weapons development and procurement, body armor testing, camouflage, ammunition as well as readiness and training issues. He previously worked for 12 years for Army Times. He traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq numerous times from 2002 to 2008, covering Stryker and light infantry units in combat. He also spent four years in the U.S. Army during the second half of the 1980s, serving as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. Read Full Bio

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