Nearly a month after rioters ransacked the Capitol, thousands of National Guard troops remain in Washington, D.C., protecting the city from an elusive extremist threat that has not materialized.

To be sure, the National Guard’s presence was necessary on Jan. 6, when extremists attacked the Capitol. It was also necessary in the days immediately after the riot in case of any lingering violence. But it appears the threat of violence went home. President Biden’s inauguration took place without incident, and lawmakers returned to their work with only a few additional security checks to show for it.