National Guard

Officials appeal for balance between security and …

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind security fencing after a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, April 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Top National Guard Headlines

Arizona man cut off COVID-19 vaccine transport, held 11 …

This undated photo provided by Lubbock County (Texas) Sheriff's Office shows Larry Lee Harris. Idalou, Texas police said Harris, an Arizona man who held 11 National Guard Soldiers transporting COVID-19 vaccines at gunpoint, was arrested Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (Lubbock County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Pentagon set to approve 2-month extension of National …

National Guard stand guard at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Police request 60-day extension of National Guard at U.S. …

National Guard keep watch on the Capitol, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Law enforcement on high alert after intelligence uncovers …

National Guard troops keep watch at the Capitol in Washington, early Thursday, March 4, 2021, amid intelligence warnings that there is a "possible plot" by a group of militia extremists to take control of the Capitol on March 4 to remove Democrats from power. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

‘Just want to say thank you’: First lady Jill Biden delivers …

First lady Jill Biden surprises National Guard members outside the Capitol with chocolate chip cookies, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

Capitol police accused of forcing National Guard troops …

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. 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 Biden's inauguration, which went off with only a handful of minor arrests. A jittery Washington requested the aid following the riot where police were badly outnumbered, locking down the nation's capital with soldiers, police and barricades and lawmakers and Biden took pains to thank security forces for their effort. All 25,000 Guard members were vetted by the FBI over concerns of an insider attack, and a dozen were removed from their posts including two who made extremist statements about the inauguration. The National Guard said it originally moved troops out of the Capitol Rotunda and other spaces to garages at the behest of the Capitol Police. The Guardsmen were allowed back inside late Thursday after reports were widely shared of the conditions in the garages, with few bathrooms and little covering from the cold. 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.” But two Capitol Police officers who spoke on condition of anonymity contradicted her statement, saying they were told department higher-ups had ordered the Guardsmen out. It was unclear why. The two officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by the department to speak. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said that “multiple members of military leadership” had told him a uniformed Capitol Police officer told them to leave the Capitol Visitor Center. “The troops didn't move on their own,” said Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He added: “This isn’t a blame game, but I want to know what happened so we can make sure it can’t happen again.” Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who leads a subcommittee that oversees the Capitol Police budget, said Pittman and other commanders would eventually need to testify about their decision-making. “If the Capitol Police in any way, shape, or form pushed the Guard out into a cold garage, then there’s going to be hell to pay,” Ryan said . “We’re already trying to re-establish trust with the Capitol Police and we’ve got to figure out exactly what happened.” The National Guard Bureau said Thursday that of the nearly 26,000 Guard troops deployed to D.C. for the inaugural, just 10,600 remain on duty. The bureau said the Guard is helping states with coordination and the logistics so that troops can get home. Thousands of Guard troops from all across the country poured into D.C. by the planeload and busload late last week, in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting. Military aircraft crowded the runways at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, carrying Guard members into the region in the wake of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Guard forces were scattered around the city, helping to secure the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances and the perimeter of central D.C., which was largely locked down for several days leading up to Wednesday’s inaugural ceremony. Some local law enforcement agencies have asked for continued assistance from the Guard, so roughly 7,000 troops are expected to stay in the region through the end of the month. The insurrection highlighted multiple failures by the Capitol Police to prepare for what became a violent mob overrunning parts of the building. Officers who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said there was little planning before the riot or guidance from department leaders once the riot began. The riot left five people dead, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was hit in the head by a fire extinguisher. Another officer died in an apparent suicide after the attack.

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Scattered arrests, no major security threats as Joe …

FBI seeks public’s help finding military Humvee stolen …

A military Humvee worth approximately $120,00 was stolen from the National Guard Armory in the city of Bell, Calif. on Jan. 15, 2021. (FBI Los Angeles Field Office)

Photos show National Guard troops sleeping on Capitol …

National Guard to deploy 10,000 troops to D.C. ahead …

Members of the D.C. National Guard walk past the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 7, 2020, one day after supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the building. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Hundreds of Trump supporters flock to D.C. ahead …

People attend a rally at Freedom Plaza Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Washington, in support of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Police: Riot gear stolen from National Guard Armory …

The National Guard Armory in Ontario is seen in an Google Maps street view photo.

National Guard troops deployed to L.A. County amid …

National Guard troops are posted outside the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office during a peaceful demonstration over George Floyd’s death on June 3, 2020. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

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