Practically 8,000 Nationwide Guard members from 40 states have come to the nation’s capital for safety forward of the inauguration on Monday.
Maj. Gen. John Andonie, the commanding normal of the District of Columbia Nationwide Guard, advised ABC Information’ MaryAlice Parks that he has “by no means felt extra assured about” concerning the Nationwide Guard’s safety posture forward of the large day.
The last-minute transfer contained in the Capitol Rotunda is one thing that the Nationwide Guard members are adjusting to, however he added that their plan continues to be sound.
“We really did rehearse a number of contingencies … and that was simply one in all a number of contingencies we have been taking a look at. This isn’t a shock. That is only a matter of adjusting to the plan and adjusting to the wishes of the incoming administration to help that plan,” Andonie mentioned.
Snow covers the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on the day it was introduced U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration is being moved indoors resulting from dangerously chilly temperatures anticipated on Monday, in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
When requested about how this second feels completely different than 4 years in the past, Andonie famous that the Nationwide Guard realized from the teachings of Jan. 6.
“We’re a studying group, and so, we take these classes from the previous,” Andonie mentioned. “We have adjusted, we have modified, and we’re now in a significantly better place with our regulation enforcement companions, a large amount of coordination and planning.”
He added that their main goal is safety however that they will help communication and logistics with different regulation enforcement businesses.
“We may have a big contingent of our pressure, in all probability about 4,000-plus troopers, to offer regulation enforcement help, help to our regulation enforcement companions, and that safety across the outer perimeter and interior perimeter portion of our capital. There will probably be forces additionally assigned, too, as a reserve pressure in case any further capability is required or wanted,” Andonie mentioned.
When requested concerning the studies that President-elect Donald Trump has thought-about mobilizing the Nationwide Guard to implement his plans for mass deportations, Andonie mentioned there can be a course of for the request of a use of the Nationwide Guard.
“Now we have not obtained any queries of any sort relating to that specific mission set. … To begin with, we must depend on our regulation enforcement companions and our civil authorities. We’re primarily a useful resource for them to do their jobs. If our lawmakers and our regulation enforcement companions request that help, that there is a course of for that. All these requests go to the secretary of protection for approval, and we comply with our orders, as we all the time have from our civilian leaders,” Andonie mentioned.
The U.S. Capitol is embellished with flags on the day it was introduced U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration is being moved indoors resulting from dangerously chilly temperatures anticipated on Jan. 20, in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
For Sgt. Gaye-Lortu Breeze, it is his first inauguration as a Nationwide Guardsman and likewise as an American citizen. He immigrated to the USA from Liberia three years in the past. Breeze is with the 1067th Composite Truck Firm out of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, which is right here to assist with the inauguration.
“I am going to say what my father mentioned when he introduced us over right here: This nation is without doubt one of the greatest international locations you may be in. It is potentialities for everyone, as you possibly can see proper now, immigrants like myself, a part of the Nationwide Guard. I am a sergeant. I am main my troops. It is a fantastic alternative, man,” Breeze mentioned.
“It is an honor to serve, actually, and it is an honor to be right here with my second household, Nationwide Guard. It has been a fantastic alternative, and it is an honor to be right here with everyone,” Pfc. Connor Kalbach advised Parks.
