(ETH) – Over 20,000 National Guard troops that are already in Washington preparing for pro-Trump demonstrations this weekend in the nation’s capital will reportedly be armed and has been granted permission to use lethal force if needed.
This report coming from USNews, states that the headquarters overseeing the operation says that authorities there are preparing for repeat violence after last week’s deadly mob.
“On January 12, 2021, National Guardsmen were given authorization to be armed in support of the U.S. Capitol Police to protect the U.S. Capitol and individual members of Congress and their staff,” according to a statement from the D.C. National Guard.
Units have been reportedly deployed from six other states, to provide security for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week in what is being described as “unprecedented security”
The request for the use of lethal force has come from federal authorities and was approved by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy – who oversees D.C. Guard deployments since the District is not a state – indicating it was not a request from the local government.
