Thousands of National Guard troops stationed at the U.S. Capitol since the Jan. 6 riots have left the campus, leaving security solely up to the Capitol Police for the first time in more than four months.
The remaining 2,300 troops left the campus on Sunday after a historic occupation that followed the Jan. 6 riot. Their extended stay angered some lawmakers who thought their continued presence was both unnecessary and a strain on National Guard readiness.
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“They’ve hit that magic date, and they’re going home,” retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honore told Face the Nation. “And the Capitol is secure, based on the mission that the Capitol Police have now, which is, secure the Capitol.”
A smaller squad of D.C. National Guard troops may be permanently stationed at or near the Capitol as part of a “quick reaction force” Honore recommended in a proposal to improve Capitol security.
But the daily sight of camouflaged troops in and around the Capitol buildings and stationed at entry points on the campus is over.
More than 25,000 National Guard troops were deployed after the Jan. 6 attack that overwhelmed the thousands of Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan Police who were guarding the building. Supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump wanted to prevent the Electoral College count in Congress that made Joe Biden the president-elect.
Honore has proposed new security upgrades that would better protect the Capitol in the event of another attack. The proposal includes installing pop-up fencing, increased funding for riot gear, and a Quick Reaction Force that could be deployed in the event of an emergency.
The House passed a $1.9 billion funding bill on a party-line vote last week that would pay for the new security.
Republicans opposed the bill, and it could face obstacles in the Senate.
Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, who is the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, opposes using the National Guard permanently at the Capitol, even in an emergency capacity.
In the meantime, an 8-foot fence remains in place along the perimeter of the Capitol, and access is still limited and excludes tourists.
Lawmakers in both parties want the fencing removed and to allow tours to resume.
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Honore said it’s too soon, in part, because the Capitol Police force of more than 2,300 officers has been depleted by more than 230 officers.
“They will not be able to return immediately to the open campus where people can openly visit the Capitol because of the strain on the Capitol Police,” Honore said on CBS. “Their numbers are down. But God bless the National Guard. They’ve done significant work. And they’re all leaving today, 137 days after the attack.”
