The White House, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced that they were sending National Guard troops to Washington to address the violence that has broken out on Capitol Hill.
At least four protests were scheduled for Wednesday, the day Congress in a joint session was expected to count the votes of the Electoral College and certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. President Trump and many of his political supporters attended the protests, which turned into a storming of Capitol Hill.
“My team and I are working closely with @MayorBowser, @SpeakerPelosi, and @SenSchumer to respond to the situation in Washington, D.C.,” Northam tweeted. “Per the Mayor’s request, I am sending members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers.”
My team and I are working closely with @MayorBowser, @SpeakerPelosi, and @SenSchumer to respond to the situation in Washington, D.C.
Per the Mayor’s request, I am sending members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers.
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 6, 2021
Shortly after, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that additional National Guard troops and “other federal protective services” were also being sent to the capitol.
“At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services,” McEnany tweeted. “We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful.”
At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services.
We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful.
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) January 6, 2021
Hogan also called in his state’s Nation Guard to help quell crowds in D.C.
At my direction, the @MDSP is sending in troopers to assist the Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Capitol Police. I have instructed the Adjutant General of the @MDNG to call up a rapid response force to support law enforcement and restore order.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) January 6, 2021
Trump repeatedly stoked the chaos throughout the day, repeating claims of widespread voter fraud and telling his supporters “we will never give up” and “we will never concede.” After the Capitol was breached, Trump made several appeals to law and order and asked his supporters for peace but still claimed he won the election.
Despite calling for peace, Trump in a series of tweets sympathized with and appeared to defend his extremist supporters, saying in a deleted tweet, “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots.”
Trump reportedly was opposed to mobilizing the National Guard, according to the New York Times. Approving the troops “required intervention from White House officials to get it done.”
NEW: Trump initially rebuffed and resisted requests to mobilize the National Guard, according to a person with knowledge of the vents. It required intervention from White House officials to get it done, according to the person with knowledge of the events.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 7, 2021
Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, not Trump, reportedly approved the activation, according to Politico reporter Lara Seligman.
“Chairman Milley and I just spoke separately with the Vice President and with Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Senator Schumer and Representative Hoyer about the situation at the U.S. Capitol. We have fully activated the D.C. National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement as they work to peacefully address the situation,” Miller said in a statement. “We are prepared to provide additional support as necessary and appropriate as requested by local authorities. Our people are sworn to defend the constitution and our democratic form of government and they will act accordingly.”
