Worthy Christian News > US News > Washington Bracing For Huge Military Operation

Washington Bracing For Huge Military Operation

By Worthy News Breaking News Team George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos

(Worthy News) – Thousands of troops are stationed in Washington D.C. amid mounting tensions ahead of Joe Biden’s “virtual” inauguration as the 46th president of the United States.

At least 20,000 National Guard members were due to be in the nation’s capital, roughly four times more than the number of troops currently in war-torn Afghanistan and Iraq combined.

Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee confirmed to reporters that “you can expect to see somewhere, upwards beyond 20,000 members of the National Guard”.

He added they would “here in the footprint of the District of Columbia.” When asked if he has ever seen law enforcement reinforcement to this magnitude in D.C., Contee said, “not at this level, no.”

He made the comments while the National Guard, the nation’s famed military reserve force, began already deploying for a 24-hour watch in the U.S. Capitol.

Reporters noted that off-duty members left to catch naps in hallways and below the bust of General George Washington, who led the United States to victory in its battle for independence against Britain more than two centuries ago.

A large presence of guard members dressed in fatigues and carrying rifles guarded the outside of the building Wednesday, while others lined the Capitol corridors, witnesses said.

They gathered while the House of Representatives impeached President Donald J. Trump for his perceived role in the January 6 deadly assault on the house of democracy.

More troops are underway, with Contee noting that the upcoming inauguration was designated a national special security event.

The 20,000 National Guard members expected in the city was an increase of at least 5,000, as 15,000 were previously deployed to the city by the Department of Defense earlier this week.

The well-informed Military Times said the 15,000 National Guard members deployed earlier this week was already about twice the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, due to a drawdown to 2,500 troops in both nations.

The withdrawal led forces was announced by Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller in November. He pledged that by January 15, Afghanistan would reduce from 4,500 troops and Iraq from 3,000. With the upcoming inauguration regarded as an even higher security risk to the United States, the capital was preparing for a military presence far greater than in previous years.