National Guard troops have left the capitol 137 days after the riot caused by supporters of Ex-U.S President, Donald Trump.
Gatekeepers News reports that over 2,500 national guards were stationed at the US Capitol when thousands of Trump’s supporters invaded the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, while the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory was ongoing.
In an update, Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré said the National Guards will leave Capitol grounds Sunday, May 23rd, 2021, saying they have achieved their purpose of securing the Capitol.
Honoré, however, noted that the area surrounding the Capitol will not be able to open instantly due to the ongoing pressure on US Capitol Police resources.
“Well, I tell you what. If it’s not, they’ve hit that magic date, and they’re going home. And the Capitol is secure, based on the mission that the Capitol Police have now, which is secure the Capitol,” Honoré told CBS ‘Face the Nation’ when asked if now is the right day for troops to leave the grounds.
“One of the missions that they will not be able to probably accomplish as designated by both houses and all parties is the open campus. They will not be able to return immediately to an open campus where people can openly visit the Capitol because of the strain on the Capitol Police, their numbers are down over 230. And that was as of the date we completed our report.”
The retired Lieutenant stressed the importance of the passing of the $1.9 billion security supplemental bill that narrowly passed in the House last week by a one-vote margin of 213-212.
Gatekeepers News reports that he noted that while $1.9 billion might seem like a high price point, $700 million of the funds go to “paying bills,” including covering expenses from having National Guard on-site for so long.
Honoré also backed the $200 million in funding in the supplemental for a quick response force to assist Capitol Police forces, which some Republicans opposed.
“There’s some talk about using regional police for that mission,” he said, adding that while that security method might work for pre-scheduled events, “I don’t think it will work with a threat of domestic terrorism at 3 o’clock in the morning.”
On claims by Republican lawmakers that the January 6 incident was not a violent riot, Honoré reaffirmed the danger law enforcement officials are dealing with.
“They had to face a dangerous, violent mob that fought them, tried to kill them,” he said.
“What I’m afraid of, John, is when I hear statements like that, is that we have a two-party system that normally would be referred to as the minority party, the opposition, and that scares me. They’ve gone from being a minority party to an opposition party.”
