A member of the National Guard who was sent to Washington, D.C., to fortify the Capitol complex has died after suffering an “apparent medical emergency,” according to the National Guard.
The Guard member, whose name has not yet been released, died on Thursday morning while off-duty in the nation’s capital. Few details were immediately available, and the death is currently being investigated.
“Joint Task Force District of Columbia is sad to confirm the death of a National Guard member serving with the U.S. Capitol security mission due to an apparent medical emergency. The individual was not on duty at the time, and the incident is under investigation,” a spokesperson with the National Guard told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
Some 2,000 National Guard members remain stationed in the District of Columbia, where they are expected to stay until at least May 23.
‘WE’VE OVERDONE IT’: MCCONNELL CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF FENCE AND TROOPS AT THE CAPITOL
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Tuesday the decision to keep the troops in place “was made after a thorough review of the request and after close consideration of its potential impact on readiness.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other lawmakers have balked at the fortification put in place following the Jan. 6 Capitol siege. In addition to the National Guard, miles of fencing featuring razor wire have been erected around the complex.
“I think we’re way overreacting to the current need,” McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said. “I’m extremely uncomfortable with the fact that my constituents can’t come to the Capitol with all this razor wire around the complex. It reminds me of my last trip to Kabul [Afghanistan].”
“I think we’ve overdone it,” he added. “It looks terrible to have the beacon of our democracy surrounded by razor wire and Guard troops.”
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The Washington Examiner contacted the Pentagon about the National Guard member’s death but did not immediately receive a response.
