Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from the U.S. Capitol Police for continued support from the National Guard through May 23, according to a statement released by the Department of Defense. Nearly 2,300 National Guard members will be on this mission, the Defense Department said, about half the number of members currently on patrol at the site of about 5,100 to 5,200 in support. The 5,000 or so were scheduled to leave at the end of the week.
“During this extended period, DoD officials will work with the U.S. Capitol Police to gradually reduce the National Guard’s footprint as conditions permit. We thank the National Guard for its support throughout the mission and its significant efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide.” The statement reads.
Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said at a Tuesday news conference that the extension is intended to address law enforcement issues and support the Capitol Police.
“It’s not just about threat assessment, but assisting and supporting capabilities that the Capitol Police may now lack and may need to look at themselves to improve.” Kirby said, “The Capitol Police and their capabilities may or may not be at the level (they) need to be given the new environment that our country is in.”
The Capitol Police last week urged the Defense Department to extend National Guard support on Capitol Hill beyond March 12 and expressed appreciation for the support the department and the National Guard have provided since Jan. 6.
Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman, who made the formal request, told a House Legislative Branch subcommittee on March 3 that the Capitol and surrounding areas still need assistance, citing the Jan. 6 break-in at the Capitol.
“The level of existential threat to the U.S. Capitol and grounds is increasing.” Pittman said, “This was very evident on Jan. 6, 2021, when protesters attempted to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 Electoral College results by storming the U.S. Capitol. Due to the heroic actions of the U.S. police, assisted by the Metropolitan Police Department, the National Guard and our many other law enforcement partners, the violent rioters were stopped from achieving their goal.”
It is unclear who or what group instigated the damage to the building. But a video of the incident shows a left-wing activist identified at several points encouraging and convincing Capitol Police to let the intruders through.
One of the women, retired Air Force Ashli Babbitt, was shot and killed by Capitol police inside the building that day. On Jan. 7, the Capitol Police Department confirmed the death of a police officer who was injured while responding to a breach.
Then-President Donald Trump (R-Texas) had repeatedly called for peace in the week after Jan. 6 and condemned the violence that occurred that day.
National Guard members deployed after the Capitol was breached on Jan. 6 and expanded by more than 20,000 at one point during Biden‘s inauguration. At the same Time, officials set up a fence around the Capitol covered at the top with razor wire.
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