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“The attack on the Capitol was a violent insurrection that resulted in the spilling of American blood,” said US Representative Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York.
“And that’s why extraordinary security measures have been taken.
“Officers were brutally beaten. The attackers wanted to assassinate Nancy Pelosi, hang Mike Pence, and hunt down sitting members of Congress. That’s insurrection. That’s sedition. That’s lawlessness. That’s terror.”
National Guard troops have been frequently used by states over the past year to help law enforcement officers quell protests.
However, the decision to arm them with guns highlights fears over the threat of further violence in the days leading up to the inauguration.
Us Capitol Halls Lined With Sleeping National Guard Troops
National Guard members sleep in the U.S. Capitol before Democrats begin debating one article of impeachment against against President Trump, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleep at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleep in the Capitol Vistor’s Center, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleep at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleep in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members resting at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleeping at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleeping at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleep at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members gather and rest at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members assemble in the Capitol Visitor’s Center, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleeping in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members sleeping at the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members walk through the U.S. Capitol, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
National Guard members assemble in the Capitol Visitor’s Center, January 13. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
Lawmakers Outraged At Images Of National Guard Sent From Capitol To Parking Garages
Members reached out as the Capitol Police denied responsibility.
On Location: January 7, 2022
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed outrage Friday at images of National Guard members, sent from around the country to secure the Capitol, resting and sleeping in nearby parking garages.
“I have told those who run the security at the Capitol that it can never happen again,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Friday. “I have pledged to every National Guard member it will not happen again. The minute I heard about this outrage last night we made sure it was fixed immediately. Every member of the Guard was found proper accommodations inside and as of this morning everyone was accounted for and taken care of this. This morning I went over to the CVC and I spoke to a number of Guardsmen personally to make sure they were okay.”
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed Schumer’s sentiment.
“I don’t think a single senator finds that acceptable,” McConnell said. “I’m glad the situation was resolved and I hope we learn exactly what happened.”
The No. 3 Senate Republican John Thune said he had reached out to members of the South Dakota National Guard.
“It breaks your heart. I mean these are people who are here serving the country, protecting us, protecting our freedom and our democracy and there’s absolutely no excuse for that and I’m glad it got corrected and corrected quickly. That was just flat wrong.” Thune said.
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National Guard Troops Sleep In Capitol Building
Yes, hundreds of National Guard troops were spotted this morning napping on the floor of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. but just about any veteran knows getting rest where you can is not unusual.
Wednesday morning social media began to fill with photos of National Guard troops curled up or stretched out across the tiles of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, positioned between the House and Senate and the Capitol building itself. They leaned against pillars, used backpacks and stairs as pillows and napped beneath busts of former presidents, their weapons close at hand.
National Guard officials said at least some of them are likely waiting on lodging assignments as the Guard staffs up in the Capitol region following the assault on the Capitol last week and potential further violence as Congress moves forward with impeachment proceedings and President-elect Joe Biden is expected to be inaugurated on Jan. 20.
I spotted the National Guard sleeping in the hallways of the Capitol as I walked in this morning.
— Daniella Diaz
Well this is something I thought I’d never see. National Guard members getting rest in the Capitol, guns by their sides, under the busts of Lincoln and Washington.
— Ben Riley-Smith
That plaque on the right commemorates the troops that were quartered in the US Capitol during the Civil War
— Igor Bobic
Reach Abbie Bennett: or. for the Connecting Vets weekly newsletter to get more stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Guard In Dc Forced To Sleep In Garages Sparking Outcry
WASHINGTON Images of National Guard soldiers camped in a cold parking garage after being sent to protect Washington sparked new calls Friday for investigations of the U.S. Capitol Police, now facing allegations that the agency evicted troops sent to help after its failure to stop rioting mobs two weeks ago.
President Joe Biden expressed his dismay Friday morning to Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard, about how the troops had been treated, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Members of both parties were irate about reports that Guardsmen were forced to take rest breaks outside the Capitol building. About 25,000 Guard members from across the country deployed to help secure President Joe Bidens inauguration, which went off with only a handful of minor arrests.
Psaki said the president thanked Hokanson and the Guard for their help the last few weeks and offered his assistance if Hokanson needed anything. First lady Jill Biden visited Guard troops outside the Capitol on Friday, bringing them cookies and thanking them for protecting her family. She noted that the Bidens late son, Beau, served in the Delaware Army National Guard.
Capitol Police Interim Chief Yogananda Pittman issued a statement Friday saying her agency did not instruct the National Guard to vacate the Capitol Building facilities.
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Impeachment: National Guard Sleep In Us Capitol Building
Hundreds of US National Guard troops have been deployed to protect the Capitol building in Washington DC – with many of them seen sleeping on the floor there.
The building is where the United States Congress meet to discuss and write laws for the country.
The troops have been brought in to help secure the Capitol area and to keep politicians and lawmakers inside safe.
There have been concerns that there could be more violence in the run up to president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration after Donald Trump supporters attacked the building last week.
On Wednesday, The House of Representatives – the lower house of the US Congress – is meeting to vote on whether or not to make Donald Trump the first ever president to be impeached twice.
Mr Trump, a Republican, is accused by the opposition Democratic Party, of encouraging the violence seen last week.
But he denies doing anything wrong, and in his first public appearance since last Wednesday’s riot, he said: “I want no violence.”
Many of the National Guard members were seen sleeping inside the Capitol building on Tuesday night ahead of the session on Wednesday.
It’s being reported that this is the first time since the US Civil War that this has happened.
K Troops Prepare For Biden Inauguration
The National Guard is preparing to deploy at least 20,000 troops in Washington for the January 20 swearing-in of Mr Biden as president.
About 8,000 National Guard troops were on hand for Mr Trump’s 2016 inauguration, Reuters reported at the time.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump urged his supporters to shun violence.
“In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind,” Mr Trump said in a White House statement.
“That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for. I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers.”
Home-sharing giant Airbnb and subsidiary HotelTonight were cancelling all reservations in Greater Washington during the inauguration week.
Roads near the Capitol have been closed.
The National Park Service has closed the Washington Monument to tours and Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked visitors to stay away.
Acting US Attorney-General Jeffrey Rosen warned against further attacks in a video released overnight and urged the public to come forward with tips about potential threats before the inauguration, including “attempts to forcefully occupy government buildings”.
Reuters
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‘almost Mandatory’: Why Gop Candidates Are Embracing Trump’s Election Lie To Win
Members of the National Guard have been allowed back into the Capitol Complex after a slate of lawmakers voiced their outrage at guardsmen being banished to a parking garage as a rest area, a guardsman told CNN.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
CNN’s Sam Fossum, Ali Zaslav and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.
National Guard Troops Photographed Sleeping On Marble Floors Of Capitol Ahead Of Impeachment Vote
- Hundreds of National Guard troops hold inside the Capitol Visitor’s Center to reinforce security at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The House of Representatives is pursuing an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm the Capitol last week.
- WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Members of the National Guard sleep on the floor of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. Security has been increased throughout Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and leading up to the Presidential inauguration.
- WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Members of the National Guard sleep in the Visitor Center of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. Security has been increased throughout Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and leading up to the Presidential inauguration.
- WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Members of the National Guard sleep on the floor of the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. Security has been increased throughout Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and leading up to the Presidential inauguration.
In the hours ahead of another tense Wednesday on Capitol Hill, members of the National Guard could be seen huddled in groups, trying to get some sleep on the floor of our nations capitol.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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National Guard: President Biden Apologises Over Troops Sleeping In Car Park
US President Joe Biden has apologised after some members of the National Guard stationed at the Capitol were pictured sleeping in a car park.
More than 25,000 troops were deployed to Washington DC for his inauguration after violence earlier this month.
Images spread on Thursday showing them forced to rest in a nearby parking garage after lawmakers returned.
The conditions sparked anger among politicians, and some state governors recalled troops over the controversy.
Mr Biden called the chief of the National Guard Bureau on Friday to apologise and ask what could be done, according to US media reports.
First Lady Jill Biden also visited some of the troops to thank them personally, bringing biscuits from the White House as a gift.
“I just wanted to come today to say thank you to all of you for keeping me and my family safe,” she said.
The photographs showing hundreds of troops in a parking garage went viral on Thursday and sparked outrage, including from members of Congress.
Our troops deserve the utmost honor & respect for securing the Capitol & defending democracy this week. This is unconscionable & unsafe. Whoeverâs decision this was to house our National Guardsmen & women in underground parking lots must be held accountable.
Tim Scott
Many voiced concerns about the conditions, with guardsmen exposed to car fumes and without proper access to facilities like toilets after having been on alert for days.
We Feel Incredibly Betrayed: Thousands Of Guardsmen Forced To Vacate Capitol
Guardsmen were later let back into facilities after an outcry from lawmakers.
Some National Guardsmen sleep on the ground of a parking garage near the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. | POLITICO
By LARA SELIGMAN, NATASHA BERTRAND and ANDREW DESIDERIO
01/21/2021 07:22 PM EST
01/22/2021 10:08 AM EST
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Thousands of National Guardsmen were allowed back into the Capitol Thursday night, hours after U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6.
One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday, according to one Guardsman. The group was forced to rest in a nearby parking garage without internet reception, with just one electrical outlet, and one bathroom with two stalls for 5,000 troops, the person said. Temperatures in Washington were in the low 40s by nightfall.
Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed, the Guardsman said.
POLITICO obtained photos showing the Guard members packed together in the parking garage, sleeping on the ground.
Capitol Police asked troops to move their rest area on Thursday, said Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy.
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Ted Cruz Walks Back Calling Capitol Riot Terrorist Attack
Weary National Guard troops have taken to sleeping in the halls of the US Capitol as they dig in to defend the seat of American democracy, guarding it against further attacks in the wake of the deadly Jan. 6 riot.
Surreal images captured early Wednesday show the battle-ready troops curled up on the floor of the building, trying to get some shuteye many with their assault rifles propped up within arms reach.
In one photo, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer walks around the sprawled-out guardians as hearings convened to impeach President Trump over the very riot that sparked the troops presence.
Shortly after a Jan. 6 rally speech in which President Trump urged supporters to fight like hell against Congress certification of Joe Bidens election win, hordes swarmed the Capitol in a siege that sent lawmakers fleeing and left five people dead, including a police officer.
In the days since, thousands of National Guard troops have descended on Washington, DC from across the country, helping to fortify the Capitol against repeat attacks, particularly with Bidens inauguration looming on Jan. 20.
You can expect to see somewhere upwards of beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard that will be here in the footprint of the District of Columbia, Robert Contee, the acting chief of DCs Metropolitan Police Department, said Wednesday.
It was the first time troops have bivouacked in the Capitol since the US Civil War in the 1860s, a House security official told Bloomberg News.
Fbi Warns Of Possible Armed Protests In All 50 State Capitols
Costello, who’s lived in Washington for 16 years, noted that he’s never seen this degree of security in the city leading up to an inauguration, adding that other residents feel it’s “as dramatic or more so” compared to after 9/11.
“The fear of another attack or attacks plural is very, very real,” Costello said, pointing to recent warnings from FBI and Capitol Police of ongoing threats against members of Congress, the government, government buildings and agencies.
“The concern is that now that there has been this all-out insurrection attempt on the Capitol, that people are feeling emboldened, as if … they either do it now or not at all, and they are in fact plotting to carry out more attacks,” Costello said.
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Senator Reveals What Republicans Are Discussing In Gun Law Negotiations
Washington A series of miscommunications around an unprecedented security situation left National Guard troops searching for an adequate rest area Thursday night when they were moved from the Capitol into a nearby parking garage.
CNN’s Oren Liebermann and Whitney Wild contributed to this report.
National Guard Members Seen Sleeping On Capitol Floor Ahead Of Inauguration
National Guard members take a break within the Capitol
National Guard members are pouring into DC ahead of the Inauguration. On Wednesday, some National Guard members took a break within the Capitol building itself – one week after it was assaulted by pro-Trump protesters.
WASHINGTON – The night after a violent mob of Trump supporters hurled the U.S. Capitol into chaos, National Guard members poured into the District from Virginia and Maryland to help police restore order.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Members of the National Guard rest in the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. Security has been increased throughout Washington following the breach of the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and leading up to th
One week later, National Guard members could be seen resting or dining on the Capitol floor.
Last week, they helped erect a seven-foot non-scalable wall around the previously besieged Capitol building.
This week, theyve continued the project of fortifying government buildings in the nations capital.
At least 10,000 National Guard members are expected to be deployed in D.C., and Acting D.C. Police Chief said that number could ultimately swell to “upwards of 20,000.”
Last week, the District received commitments from the Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York National Guards.
DC reacts to reports of armed protesters this weekend
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