The rough treatment of National Guard troops stationed in Washington DC to protect the inauguration of the new US President Joe Biden has sparked heated debate, with some guards claiming to have suffered “unbelievable betrayal”. The governors of Texas, Florida and other states have now ordered the guards to be brought back to their Home states.
“We feel incredibly betrayed.”
The news was first reported by Politico on Thursday (Jan. 21). Guard guardsmen protecting Biden’s inauguration in Washington, DC, were suddenly told to stop staying inside the Capitol during breaks and to rest in a nearby parking lot.
Photos sent out by Politico show the guardsmen, who were working 12-hour shifts, huddled on the garage floor, some resting their heads against concrete pillars. One guard said there was no Internet signal in the parking lot, the 5,000 soldiers had only one electrical outlet and one bathroom, and by late afternoon the temperature in Washington, D.C., was as low as 4 degrees Celsius.
One guard told Politico that on the day of Biden’s inauguration, dozens of lawmakers posed for pictures, shook hands and thanked them for their service, “and in less than 24 hours, with no more use for us, [they] kicked us into the corner of the parking lot. We felt incredibly betrayed.”
Texas, Florida, and New Hampshire Move Back to National Guard
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that he has directed Texas National Guard Commandant Tracy Norris to bring the Texas Guard in DC back to Texas.
Abbott also criticized Monday the move by the Defense Department, FBI and Secret Service to vet the backgrounds of National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C., during Biden’s inauguration, a move Abbott said was offensive.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also ordered Florida National Guard soldiers stationed at the U.S. Capitol to return home.
On Fox News Friday, DeSantis decried the unfair treatment of the guardsmen, “These men are soldiers, not servants of Nancy Pelosi.” “This is a half-cooked (half-cooked) mission, and the most appropriate thing to do now is to bring them home.”
New Hampshire’s governor also withdrew the state’s National Guard.
Bipartisan officials outraged as Guardsmen return to rest in Congress
The rough treatment of National Guard troops also drew the ire of officials from both parties.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted about the parking garage report, “If this is true, it’s outrageous. I will look into this issue thoroughly.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (D-CA) tweeted, “This is absolutely unacceptable and despicable treatment of our brave and dedicated National Guard.”
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D) said the treatment of Guard members was “outrageous, shameful and incredibly disrespectful. Sinema is one of several lawmakers who have allowed members of the Guard to use their own offices.
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D) said she has made several phone calls and was told, “The Capitol Police have apologized to the guardsmen and they will be allowed to return to the Capitol tonight.” CBS confirmed Friday that the National Guard has been removed from the garage and will be able to rest in the halls inside the Capitol from now on.
The U.S. Capitol Police issued a statement saying it was very grateful for the full support of the National Guard.
The National Guard was deployed to the U.S. Capitol by several states to protect President Biden’s inauguration “from the threat of violence” after the Jan. 6 storming of Congress. But then a scandal broke when photos of the guardsmen sleeping on the Capitol’s marble floor went viral, and Congress arranged for them to be bedded down.
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