Ryan: National Guard Chief Assures Congress They’re Ready for Inauguration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a briefing from the chief of U.S National Guard Bureau, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan says Congress has been assured the military branch is ready for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday.

As of Monday, there are 25,000 National Guardsmen, from all states and territories, in the nation’s capital.

“Today, Gen. Daniel Hokanson assured us that our nation’s capital is secured and that we are prepared to hold a safe and secure Inauguration for Joe Biden,” Ryan said in a statement. “As co-chairman of the National Guard and Reserve Caucus, I understand the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice these men and women deployed to Washington, D.C., and state capitals across the country demonstrate every day. These guardsmen and women have left their homes and families to stand guard and protect our democracy.”

Ryan added that while some National Guard members are armed, they have all been trained in de-escalation.

Following the breach of the Capitol Building on Jan. 6 by pro-Trump protestors, Washington has seen the installation of security measures – including unclimbable fencing and security checkpoints – pop up. Much of the city falls into “vehicle-restricted areas” limiting transit to only residents and businesses, with several major thoroughfares closed down.

As of Monday, three people had been arrests at checkpoints, including a 22-year-old Virginia man carrying a handgun and three magazines, breaking city laws that require gun registration and forbid open carrying of guns. A second arrest was for another Virginia man with an unregistered gun, who provided “unauthorized” credentials for the inauguration. The third was a Connecticut woman who was unarmed but claimed she was a law enforcement official and a member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet. 

Following the Jan. 6 siege of the Capitol Building, plans had circulated online for a “Million Militia March” in support of Trump to be held Sunday, though no crowds formed in the city.

Pictured: National Guard troops stand outside the U.S. Capitol before a dress rehearsal for the 59th inaugural ceremony for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the Capitol, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Washington. (Rod Lamkey/Pool via AP)

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