Thousands of National Guardsmen were allowed back into the Capitol Thursday night, hours after U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6.
One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday, according to one Guardsman. The group was forced to rest in a nearby parking garage without internet reception, with just one electrical outlet, and one bathroom with two stalls for 5,000 troops, the person said. Temperatures in Washington were in the low 40s by nightfall. . . .
All National Guard troops were told to vacate the Capitol and nearby congressional buildings on Thursday, and to set up mobile command centers outside or in nearby hotels, another Guardsman confirmed. They were told to take their rest breaks during their 12-hour shifts outside and in parking garages, the person said.
Top lawmakers from both parties took to Twitter to decry the decision and call for answers after POLITICO first reported the news Thursday night, with some even offering their offices to be used as rest areas. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted: “If this is true, it’s outrageous. I will get to the bottom of this.” And Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) noted that the Capitol complex remains closed to members of the public, “so there’s plenty of room for troops to take a break in them.”
By 10 p.m., Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said the situation was “being resolved” and that the Guardsmen would be able to return indoors later in the night. . . .
Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, the Guard’s Inauguration Task Force commander, confirmed in a statement to POLITICO shortly after midnight that the troops were out of the garage and back into the Capitol building as authorized by the Capitol Police Watch Commander. They will take their breaks near Emancipation Hall going forward.
In a statement, Capitol Police spokesperson Eva Malecki said the department recently asked that troops’ shifts be reduced from 12 hours to eight in order to allow for additional rest hours away from the Capitol complex. The statement did not explain why the Guardsmen were forced into parking garages.
On Friday morning, Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman insisted in a statement that the department “did not instruct the National Guard to vacate the Capitol Building facilities.” . . .
Guardsmen who spoke with POLITICO were not given a clear reason why they were asked to vacate the buildings. The first Guardsman said it may have been due to a complaint that some troops were not wearing masks, but denied that was the case. . . .
Guard leadership did not make the decision and are “doing their best to provide rest shelter for troops who are still on 12-hour shifts protecting the Capitol and congressional grounds,” the second Guardsman said.
“There really may be an important reason for us to vacate and it just hasn’t been well communicated yet,” the second Guardsman said.
The troops are particularly concerned about being packed in tight quarters with limited bathroom access during a pandemic. At least 100 Guardsmen have tested positive for Covid-19, according to two Guardsmen. Some are quarantining in hotels. . . .
Thousands of troops have already left Washington after around 25,000 were called to D.C. to help defend it from potential threats ahead of President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
(Excerpt from Politico. Article by Lara Seligman. Photo Credit: Getty Images.)
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Lord, help us to be a nation that honors each other. Give us grace for each other and guide our leaders in Your wisdom.
BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD SEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYERS MONEY TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS IN SAN FRANCISCO HOTELS THROUGH SEPTEMBER.
100 PERCENT FEDERAL FUNDING, AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SAN FRANCISCO’S COVID HOTELS USED TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS COULD BE COMING SOON ALL THANKS TO BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER.
BUT CAPITOL POLICE ORDERED SOME 5,000 U.S.TROOPS THAT PROTECTED AND GUARDED WASHINGTON DURING THE INAUGURATION TO BE SENT TO AN UNHEATED PARKING DECK TO SLEEP ON A COLD
CEMENT WITH ONLY FEW BATHROOMS.
PACKED INTO TIGHT QUARTERS WITH LIMITED BATHROOM ACCESS DURING A PANDEMIC. AT LEAST 100 GUARDSMEN HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, ACCORDING TO TWO GUARDSMEN.
I don’t know who made this “decision” to place our troops in a cold, damp, unheated parking garage. I have an idea but without proof, I cannot say anything.
The public outcry by Schumer is nothing more than word magic. He will only get to the bottom of it if its beneficial to his party or himself. If it hurts his party, he will look for a scapegoat, create a false narrative or spin to blame. Sorry but unfortunately truth is not part of Schumer’s extensive resume.
The senator from NM – who knows what he “actually thinks”. The false inauguration of someone who didn’t legally win an election just continues to show the nation that trust in most of our leadership is gone. Overall, those complicit with going along in the new Dem party (or any party that tries to “lie” their way out of it) with what has transpired will continue to blow up in their face. There’s an old rule that proves true every time…”When you try harder and harder to control everything around you, you will lose control”. Lying, fraud, deception, etc. is sin that will be found out. Despite the best efforts, God will bring sin into the light. It will work its way out into the light because we will continue to pray that it will come to pass.
That includes the mistreatment of troops who were “needed” for a fraudulent inauguration.
Jesus lord thank you for our soldiers. Thank you that the true president again stepped in to bring warmth because you chose him to lead. Our nation is suffering from sin we need to call it what it is and stop pandering. Find at least one person you can bring his word too. My husband died in our home in December. The lord has sent many souls to my life most are Democrats. When I tell them about one of the first orders to fund abortion throughout the world they are surprised. I grieve for my beloved deeply and it hasn’t been easy to take the focus off myself but Jesus has a bigger plan he uses death to remind us this is but a moment. One life will soon be passed what we do for Christ will last. Surely we can talk to others about the hope that is in us when things look so hopeless we just want to go to bed and cry. The world needs our truths about the living god and we should stand up for our nation. I thank you Ipray for giving us a place to talk about the lord. He is our living light our eternity praise him he is worthy
Joe Biden has yet to speak out against this terrible treatment of our brave soldiers who protect freedom around the world and who were protecting him leading up to the Inauguration.
The Obama Administration, which Joe Biden was Vice President, depleted our military and did nothing to help our troops.
Don’t expect Joe Biden and the Democrats to be good to our troops. They’re too busy opening our borders during a pandemic, allowing illegal immigrants to come into our country, that may be carrying Covid-19 and could also be bringing a criminal element into our country.
Joe Biden and the leftist Democrats will treat illegal immigrants better than they will treat American citizens and our great and powerful military.
Had it been a free and fair election, troops would have never even been considered to surround the White House. It looked like a third world dictators Inauguration. Our Inauguration was a sham, placing a phony, illegitimate president in office.
Lest than a week in office, and Joe Biden is already proving he is incompetent of any true leadership. Making poor decisions that will adversely affect our nation and its citizens.
He is weak and will continue to show weakness in leadership. He is definitely not the president to lead and protect America. He is unqualified and unfit for the job of the presidency.
Thank you for being honest and not just saying let’s just keep praying for this administration. Our lord expects us to be warriors in the word. To fight the enemy with the truth. He is not afraid of anything but we need to light the way speak up. I put a cross on my door because my husband passed Strange things have started to happen. One man asked me if I was afraid to display the cross in my socialist leaning neighborhood and yes I have had some problems nothing the lord can’t take of. Let me not be ashamed of the hope that is in me (job) just as mr trump took the hate and Jesus bore all of it stand up and be brave in him. Display the cross.
Thank you Sandra for supporting the truth and being a warrior for God.
This treatment of the troops is so appalling to me & others, esp. those of us who lost loved ones to save our freedom. Respect for troops should be a priority.
I want to extend my sincere condolences to you for the loss of your dear husband. May he rest in Jesus arms.
May The Lord protect and keep you.
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BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER COULD SEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYERS MONEY TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS IN SAN FRANCISCO HOTELS THROUGH SEPTEMBER.
100 PERCENT FEDERAL FUNDING, AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SAN FRANCISCO’S COVID HOTELS USED TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS COULD BE COMING SOON ALL THANKS TO BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER.
BUT CAPITOL POLICE ORDERED SOME 5,000 U.S.TROOPS THAT PROTECTED AND GUARDED WASHINGTON DURING THE INAUGURATION TO BE SENT TO AN UNHEATED PARKING DECK TO SLEEP ON A COLD
CEMENT WITH ONLY FEW BATHROOMS.
PACKED INTO TIGHT QUARTERS WITH LIMITED BATHROOM ACCESS DURING A PANDEMIC. AT LEAST 100 GUARDSMEN HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, ACCORDING TO TWO GUARDSMEN.
AMERICA WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
I don’t know who made this “decision” to place our troops in a cold, damp, unheated parking garage. I have an idea but without proof, I cannot say anything.
The public outcry by Schumer is nothing more than word magic. He will only get to the bottom of it if its beneficial to his party or himself. If it hurts his party, he will look for a scapegoat, create a false narrative or spin to blame. Sorry but unfortunately truth is not part of Schumer’s extensive resume.
The senator from NM – who knows what he “actually thinks”. The false inauguration of someone who didn’t legally win an election just continues to show the nation that trust in most of our leadership is gone. Overall, those complicit with going along in the new Dem party (or any party that tries to “lie” their way out of it) with what has transpired will continue to blow up in their face. There’s an old rule that proves true every time…”When you try harder and harder to control everything around you, you will lose control”. Lying, fraud, deception, etc. is sin that will be found out. Despite the best efforts, God will bring sin into the light. It will work its way out into the light because we will continue to pray that it will come to pass.
That includes the mistreatment of troops who were “needed” for a fraudulent inauguration.
Jesus lord thank you for our soldiers. Thank you that the true president again stepped in to bring warmth because you chose him to lead. Our nation is suffering from sin we need to call it what it is and stop pandering. Find at least one person you can bring his word too. My husband died in our home in December. The lord has sent many souls to my life most are Democrats. When I tell them about one of the first orders to fund abortion throughout the world they are surprised. I grieve for my beloved deeply and it hasn’t been easy to take the focus off myself but Jesus has a bigger plan he uses death to remind us this is but a moment. One life will soon be passed what we do for Christ will last. Surely we can talk to others about the hope that is in us when things look so hopeless we just want to go to bed and cry. The world needs our truths about the living god and we should stand up for our nation. I thank you Ipray for giving us a place to talk about the lord. He is our living light our eternity praise him he is worthy
Joe Biden has yet to speak out against this terrible treatment of our brave soldiers who protect freedom around the world and who were protecting him leading up to the Inauguration.
The Obama Administration, which Joe Biden was Vice President, depleted our military and did nothing to help our troops.
Don’t expect Joe Biden and the Democrats to be good to our troops. They’re too busy opening our borders during a pandemic, allowing illegal immigrants to come into our country, that may be carrying Covid-19 and could also be bringing a criminal element into our country.
Joe Biden and the leftist Democrats will treat illegal immigrants better than they will treat American citizens and our great and powerful military.
Had it been a free and fair election, troops would have never even been considered to surround the White House. It looked like a third world dictators Inauguration. Our Inauguration was a sham, placing a phony, illegitimate president in office.
Lest than a week in office, and Joe Biden is already proving he is incompetent of any true leadership. Making poor decisions that will adversely affect our nation and its citizens.
He is weak and will continue to show weakness in leadership. He is definitely not the president to lead and protect America. He is unqualified and unfit for the job of the presidency.
Thank you for being honest and not just saying let’s just keep praying for this administration. Our lord expects us to be warriors in the word. To fight the enemy with the truth. He is not afraid of anything but we need to light the way speak up. I put a cross on my door because my husband passed Strange things have started to happen. One man asked me if I was afraid to display the cross in my socialist leaning neighborhood and yes I have had some problems nothing the lord can’t take of. Let me not be ashamed of the hope that is in me (job) just as mr trump took the hate and Jesus bore all of it stand up and be brave in him. Display the cross.
Thank you Sandra for supporting the truth and being a warrior for God.
This treatment of the troops is so appalling to me & others, esp. those of us who lost loved ones to save our freedom. Respect for troops should be a priority.
I want to extend my sincere condolences to you for the loss of your dear husband. May he rest in Jesus arms.
May The Lord protect and keep you.
This treatment of our National Guard is inexusable! It is heartbreaking and they deserve so much better.