Defense officials are increasing security in Washington D.C. ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, with plans to deploy up to 20,000 National Guard troops to prepare for the possibility of more violence after last week’s Capitol siege.
Earlier this week, only 15,000 troops were expected in the city, but D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said at a press conference Wednesday an extra 5,000 have been authorized.
The increase in troops comes after law enforcement agencies have warned that extremists are planning armed protests around Biden’s inauguration.
Law enforcement agencies don’t want a repeat of last week’s siege, where Capitol Police appeared underprepared and overwhelmed to deal with the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol. Police rejected National Guard assistance in the days before the planned protests, the Associated Press reported, and the National Guard was only called in after Vice President Mike Pence reportedly convinced Trump to do so.
20,000 is more than twice the number of U.S. troops currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, according to the Military Times. Forbes
