Pentagon considers involuntary activation of National Guard troops for US Capitol security

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The Department of Defense is reportedly considering issuing involuntary activation orders to keep National Guard troops stationed at the U.S. Capitol.

The deliberation on a mandatory activation of reservists comes just one day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he will be extending the National Guard troop's time stationed at the U.S. Capitol until May 28, following a request from Capitol Police.

McClatchy first reported that DoD was considering the orders.

"One defense official told McClatchy the units may be placed under involuntary activation so that instead of individual service members from various states filling the request, an entire unit and its leadership would do it, which the official said would improve command and control," McClatchy reported.

Roughly 2,300 guardsmen will continue to serve at the Capitol – a security force reduced by more than half from the 5,000 troops currently deployed in Washington, D.C.

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"This decision was made after a thorough review of the request and after close consideration of its potential impact on readiness," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Tuesday night or the move to retain 2,300 troops.

"During this extended period, [Department of Defense] officials will work with the U.S. Capitol Police to incrementally reduce the National Guard footprint as conditions allow," he added.

Fox News could not immediately reach the National Guard or DoD to confirm if reservists will be forcibly activated. 

Following the Jan. 6 attack by pro-Trump supporters at the Capitol that resulted in the death of five people, 25,000 National Guardsmen were deployed to Washington to provide increased security through President Biden’s inauguration.

The number of troops was gradually reduced with the intention of removing all guardsmen by mid-March.  

However, one source told Fox News last month that it was "naive to think that in the middle of March [the troops] go away."

The Pentagon could not confirm if there was any potential for National Guard troops to remain permanently at the U.S. Capitol.

"I don’t think anyone can answer that question right now,"  Kirby told Fox News Tuesday.

While some lawmakers remained concerned about online threats made by QAnon supporters, who suggested Donald Trump would again rise to power on March 4 – the original Inauguration Day before being changed to Jan. 20 in 1937 – others have called for improved conditions at the Capitol and for troops to be sent home.

 "They have proudly answered the call, served our country," Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., wrote in a letter last week to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, following reports of 50 service members having gastrointestinal issues due to inadequate food during their deployment.

"Our troops don't demand a five-star resort or expensive food, but at a minimum, they deserve meals that are safe to consume," he continued, adding, "It's time to get our troops home to their families."

SMALL CONTINGENT OF NATIONAL GUARD EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT US CAPITOL INDEFINITELY

The request by Capitol Police for an extended guard presence was met with pushback, as some governors flatly refused to prolong their troops' deployment in Washington, D.C.

The guardsmen expected to remain at the Capitol will come from various states across the country, Fox News confirmed Tuesday.

Pentagon officials told congressional lawmakers last month that they did not believe a threat to the Capitol persisted.

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"We obviously work with our law enforcement partners to determine that threat. That's obviously continuing to evolve," acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security Robert Salesses testified.

"At this time, I'm not aware of a threat that is out there," he added.

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said he had also reviewed the security threats and agreed with Pentagon officials that the threat remains low.  

The Associated Press contributed to this report.