The leader of the D.C. National Guard is reportedly being forced out of his job at 12:01 p.m. on Inauguration Day.
Maj. Gen. Errol Schwartz, who spent months on planning for the inauguration, will have to hand over control of the D.C. National Guard members involved in the ceremony, as well as 5,000 troops from around the country, to an interim commander when he is forced to retire just before the parade begins on Jan. 20, the Washington Post reported.
“My troops will be on the street,” Schwartz told the Post. “I’ll see them off but I won’t be able to welcome them back to the armory.” He said he would “never plan to leave a mission in the middle of a battle.”
Schwartz has served as the commanding general of the D.C. National Guard since 2008 and began his military career in 1976, according to his online bio.
In most states, the governor appoints the National Guard commander. But in Washington, the top National Guardsman is appointed by the president, making Schwartz a presidential appointee.
The Military District of Washington and the transition team for President-elect Trump did not immediately return a request for comment. At the Pentagon, spokesman Peter Cook said he was unaware of the report and had no information.
