Wisconsin National Guard troops mobilize to D.C. to support inauguration security

Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitor Center on January 13.

At the direction of Governor Parson, the Missouri National Guard is providing assistance to the D.C. National Guard, where they will support civilian law enforcement agencies with security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety to district and federal agencies through the presidential inauguration.

After the riot at the U.S. Capitol, the head of the National Guard said at least 15,000 troops would be in D.C.by Saturday.

"I've been concerned before today and will be through this weekend, and beyond", Contee said on Wednesday, while praising DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's security posture, including discouraging people from coming to DC for the inauguration.

The timeline is fluid, by Vermont soldiers are expected to arrive in D.C.by Tuesday, a Guard spokesperson said Thursday morning.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said he had authorized 625 Guard soldiers going to Washington from Saturday until two days after Biden's January 20 inauguration.

Wednesday's security briefing prep is the same one that troops receive before being deployed for Baghdad or Kabul, a senior defense official who is part of planning the security measures for the event told Fox News. Five people, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, died in the unprecedented attack on January 6. That's insurrection. That's sedition.

The troops, including units from the Wisconsin Army National Guard and Wisconsin Air National Guard, will serve in a support role alongside thousands of other National Guard troops from other states. However, the decision to arm them with guns highlights fears over the threat of further violence in the days leading up to the inauguration.

The guard will be sending soldiers from the 160th Engineer Detachment and airmen from the 157th Security Forces Squadron.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the chamber's top Republican, had opposed impeachment but said: "That doesn't mean the president is free from fault".