The Capitol will look like an entrenched camp on January 20.
The Pentagon said Monday it had authorized the deployment of 15,000 National Guard soldiers to Washington to secure the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden, in order to avoid further violence on the temple of American democracy.
Some 6,200 soldiers are already present in the federal capital and they will be 10,000 this weekend, said General Daniel Hokanson during a press briefing by telephone.
About 5,000 additional soldiers will join them for the Democrat's swearing-in.
For now, their mission is limited to logistical support to the local police and they will only be allowed "as a last resort" to arrest themselves, should the situation get out of hand, the official added. officer who oversees the National Guard office at the Ministry of Defense.
READ ALSO>
The assault on the Capitol minute by minute in videos
The Pentagon came under fire for delaying the deployment of the National Guard on Wednesday, Jan.6 when supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, wreaking havoc and violence within the temple of American democracy.
According to General Hokanson, “the level of violence” of the demonstrators “had not been anticipated”.
Calls to come and demonstrate
New calls to action, as early as January 17, began circulating last week on social media and Washington mayor Muriel Bowser extended the state of emergency until the day of the ceremony to be in able to quickly reinstate a curfew if the need arose, like last Wednesday evening.
The planning for the January 16 and 17 militia events in DC is quite specific.
They want at least 15k people and if they achieve that they plan to block Democrats from entering the Capitol, allowing only Republicans through.
Here's where they plan to meet pic.twitter.com/yh0BcMO1DJ
- Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) January 11, 2021
On Monday, she called on Americans "not to come to Washington for the 59th investiture ceremony on January 20 and participate in it virtually."
Not sure she's heard.
VIDEO. Capitol invasion: the hours that shook the United States