Democrat-Run D.C Boots National Guard from Capitol: ‘We Feel Incredibly Betrayed’
National Guardsmen photographed in poor living conditions
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Thousands of National Guardsmen have been photographed sleeping in near-freezing parking garages after officials in Democrat-run Washington D.C booted the troops out of the Capitol building over a "mask complaint."
Photos of the living conditions the National Guard troops were enduring emerged on Thursday night, just a day after Joe Biden was sworn in as the nation’s 46th president.
“Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service,” a National Guardsmen told Politico.
And if you want to use the bathroom, well pic.twitter.com/YXLawaqA0Q
— Alex Horton (@AlexHortonTX) January 22, 2021
“Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage.
"We feel incredibly betrayed.”
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Politico reported:
“All National Guard troops were told to vacate the Capitol and nearby congressional buildings on Thursday, and to set up mobile command centers outside or in nearby hotels, another Guardsman confirmed."
“They were told to take their rest breaks during their 12-hour shifts outside, and in parking garages, the person said.”
A source close to security discussions at the Capitol said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "personally met with the Secretary of the Army to demand 14,000 National Guard troops be deployed to the Capitol."
MILITARY SOURCE IN DC:
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 22, 2021
“For the last week my battalion has been sleeping on the floor in the Senate cafeteria. Today the Senate kicked us out & moved us to a cold parking garage.
5000 soldiers.
1 power outlet.
One bathroom.
This is how Joe Biden’s America treats solders.”
PHOTOS pic.twitter.com/622sQmciq4
"But there was no logistical plan provided by the Speaker’s office on where the service members would sleep.”
The images of the National Guardsmen causes outrage among lawmakers who offered their offices.
“Simply unacceptable. You’re always welcome in my office,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) wrote on Twitter.
Simply unacceptable. You’re always welcome in my office. As a former Iowa National Guard member, I know how hard it is to wear those boots. Thank you for your service everyday. https://t.co/WNjSEsQUMV
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) January 22, 2021
“As a former Iowa National Guard member, I know how hard it is to wear those boots. Thank you for your service everyday.”
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“We should be grateful to the members of the National Guard who are here securing the Capitol,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) wrote on Twitter.
“I don’t know who ordered them to go sleep in a garage and can’t understand why they would do that. It needs to be reversed.”
“This is unacceptable,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) wrote on Twitter.
“These men and women are serving our nation and should be treated with the respect they deserve. I have directed my team to help in any way we can, including offering our office space in D.C. to support these brave individuals in their mission.”
This is unacceptable. These men and women are serving our nation and should be treated with the respect they deserve. I have directed my team to help in any way we can, including offering our office space in D.C., to support these brave individuals in their mission. https://t.co/yB7qK5eSi1
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 22, 2021
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-TN) wrote on Twitter:
“We’ll get to the bottom of this and get it fixed. Congress is in session, but buildings are still closed to public, so there’s plenty of room for troops to take a break in them."
“And with the inaugural over, we should start getting the Guardsmen back to their families, jobs, and communities anyway. The extreme security measures of the last couple weeks can be substantially reduced.”
We’ll get to the bottom of this and get it fixed. Congress is in session, but buildings are still closed to public, so there’s plenty of room for troops to take a break in them. https://t.co/H9CfOtJAW9
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 22, 2021
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy blasted Pelosi and Schumer for the situation:
“Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer—why are American troops who are tasked with keeping security at the Capitol being forced to sleep in a parking lot? They deserve to be treated with respect, and we deserve answers.”
Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer—why are American troops who are tasked with keeping security at the Capitol being forced to sleep in a parking lot?
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 22, 2021
They deserve to be treated with respect, and we deserve answers. pic.twitter.com/J0R2dRC8bM
Around 25,000 National Guard forces were sent to assist federal law enforcement authorities in Washington, DC, for Joe Biden's inauguration.
On Thursday, the National Guard said that 15,000 National Guardsmen would be sent home in a press release.
There are 10,600 which are still on duty, but that number will go down to 7,000 near the end of the month.
