• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

2021 - Task Force Capitol

The crowd of rioters that breached the Capitol on January 6 after a Trump rally bought into the debunked theory, repeated by the president and his allies, that election fraud caused Biden’s win at the polls. The rioters stormed the Capitol as legislators certified Biden’s victory in a joint session of Congress. This gave an initial impression that Trump supporters went too far after the president “incited” an insurrection, according to legislators who impeached him a second time. Soem of the rioters planned to kidnap legislators and murder Vice President Mike Pence.

Adherents of QAnon believe a broad set of conspiracy theories that centres on the belief that Trump was chosen to defeat a cabal of liberal elites, including politicians, who harvest the blood of trafficked children to keep themselves young. Amazon stopped hosting Parler, the “free speech” platform for conservatives. Amazon lawyers claimed in court hearings the site featured calls to assassinate Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, members of the media and others. There was an unprecedented level of cooperation between myriad far-right groups and increased support from politicians, who are able to rally under the perceived grievance of being censored after suspensions by social media giants.

The FBI, OHS, and NCTC remain concerned about the potential for a loosely organized, sustained, and significant domestic violent extremist [DVE] population mobilizing to violence based on social media calls to target government infrastructure or officials. The shared false narrative of a "stolen" election and opposition to the change in control of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government may lead some individuals to adopt the belief that there is no political solution to address their grievances and violent action is necessary. Additionally, in-person engagement between DVEs of differing ideological goals during the Capitol breach likely served to foster connections, which may increase DVEs' willingness, capability, and motivation to attack and undermine a government they view as illegitimate.

In the near term, DVEs could exploit upcoming events to engage in or justify violence, including events attended by "boogaloo" adherents scheduled nationally from 16 to 20 January; the 20 January Presidential Inauguration and associated events in Washington, DC; and any departure of the 4Sth President from office prior to the end of his term. The "boogaloo" is a concept most commonly used by DVEs to reference an impending second civil war or insurgency against the US Government Calls for revolution may especially resonate with MVEs, who often justify violence based on their belief that they are guardians of the Constitution and the legacies of the American Revolution.

The National Guard response could include an estimated 21,000 Guard members from all states and territories. National Guard troops from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia are supporting law enforcement through the presidential inauguration next week. Up to 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and D.C. authorities through the Jan. 20 inauguration.The exact dates of departure and return of the service members will not be released prior them departing and returning due to operational security and the safety of service members.

As of Jan. 15, about 7,250 Guard Soldiers and Airmen were in the National Capital Region coordinating with civilian authorities responsible for inauguration support. The U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Service, and U.S. Capitol Police requested National Guard support. The Secret Service is the lead federal agency coordinating security for the inauguration.

Military involvement in the Presidential Inauguration dates back 232 years to when Gen. George Washington began his inaugural journey from Mount Vernon to New York City. Local militias, the modern-day National Guard, joined his inaugural procession as it passed through towns along the route to be joined by members of the regular Army, additional local militia, and Revolutionary War veterans once Washington arrived in New York City. This presidential military escort then accompanied him to Federal Hall for the presidential oath, and the National Guard and other military units have continued this tradition of inaugural support ever since. The National Guard and other military units have continued this tradition of inaugural support ever since.

In past presidential inaugurations, the District of Columbia National Guard has escorted presidents, marched in ceremonial parades, conducted crowd management and ensured the safety of participants of the event. While the D.C. National Guard plays no less pivotal a role, this year turned out to be a bit different.

The reality of life during a pandemic already brought anticipated changes to the 59th presidential inauguration: a limited in-person footprint, social distancing guidelines and other precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

At the beginning of January, approximately 340 National Guardsmen were assigned to manage traffic and provide logistical support to law enforcement. “First amendment demonstrations” were planned for January 5 and 6. Then, protests devolved into riots at the Capitol on January 6. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested additional assistance, and, in response, acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller mobilized 6,200 Guardsmen from six states – Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania to include 1,100 members of the D.C. National Guard.

The National Guard members of each state remain under their respective governor’s control and adhere to D.C. law. To meet current and future inauguration support requirements, the National Guard received support requests from the Secret Service, Capitol Police, and Park Police and have been authorized to provide up to 15,000 Guard members. As of Jan. 14, there are about 7,000 National Guard members on the ground in the District of Columbia from D.C., Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington state.

Bringing in additional servicemembers is not unprecedented. More than 7,500 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 44 states, two territories and the District supported the 58th presidential inauguration in 2017. “The District of Columbia National Guard is in a support role to the local authorities, which will enable them to provide a safe environment for our fellow citizens to exercise their first amendment right to demonstrate,” said Maj. Gen. Walker, Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard.

Every member of the National Guard – military and civilian – swears an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. Miller said in a written release from the Pentagon, “I, and the people I lead in the Department of Defense, continue to perform our duties in accordance with our oath of office, and will execute the time-honored peaceful transition of power to President-elect Biden on January 20.”

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from across the states and territories augmented the District of Columbia National Guard to provide crowd management; traffic control in and around the Capitol, National Mall and White House; as well as communications, logistical, medical, and public affairs support. Enduring partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, built on trust and performance, directly contribute to the National Guard’s success in homeland response. More than 1,600 members of the National Guard in Florida, Puerto Rico, Kentucky, Kansas and Utah are among the latest to send reinforcements to Washington.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved the deployment of several hundred Michigan National Guard members to Washington, D.C. ahead of President-elect Joseph Biden’s inauguration. This authorization came in response to a request for assistance from the National Guard Bureau. “The men and women of the Michigan National Guard continually prove themselves as an invaluable source of compassion and reassurance to their fellow Michiganders, stepping up from their communities to serve this state during some of our most challenging times,” said Whitmer. “Ensuring a peaceful transition of presidential power is essential to our democracy, and I’m proud that these outstanding Michiganders will be lending their professionalism, training, and seasoned experience to ensure the safety and well-being of our fellow Americans in Washington, D.C.”

Approximately 650 U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard joined service members from other states and territories in the nation’s capital to provide support for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2021, in the District of Columbia. The South Carolina National Guard worked in support of the District of Columbia National Guard and local civilian authorities.

Airmen and Soldiers of the Alaska National Guard departed Jan. 17, headed to the National Capital Region to assist the District of Columbia National Guard and federal civilian authorities with the 59th Presidential Inauguration. Approximately 80 Alaska Guardsmen volunteered, and most of them will be transported by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing, Eielson Air Force Base on a direct seven-hour flight to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

The Idaho National Guard sent more than 300 Soldiers and Airmen to Washington, D.C. today to assist district and federal agencies with the presidential inauguration. These Guardsmen will augment the D.C. National Guard and serve in support of the U.S. Secret Service, the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the event. Personnel began departing from Gowen Field less than 72 hours after Governor Brad Little approved the mission.

The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) had approximately 475 personnel on the ground in Washington, D.C., beginning to assist civilian law enforcement and officials with the protection of property and providing a safe environment for citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20. Additionally, as a part of this mission, a specialized team of Soldiers and Airmen from the 35th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) will provide assistance to the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services and 33rd Civil Support Team in consequence management.

Approximately 800 members of the Maryland National Guard were on duty in Washington to support the 59th presidential inauguration with a Maryland general officer taking a critical role in the effort. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, assistant adjutant general for Maryland, assumed command in DC as the Task Force Capitol commander. Birckhead took charge of more than 3,500 troops in DC, providing support to law enforcement through the presidential inauguration. "The troops under my command are from many different states’ National Guard," said Birckhead. "We’re a conglomerate, diverse force that’s well-trained, equipped, and prepared to provide the best available military support to the civil authorities and the District of Columbia.”