Pentagon Extends The National Guard Assignment To Secure Capitol Hill For Next Two Months

Garda Nasional di Capitol Hill, Washington DC (Twitter / ChiefNGB)

JAKARTA - The United States Department of Defense (US) Pentagon approved a request to maintain 2.300 National Guard troops in Washington DC, United States to protect Capitol Hill for the next two months.

The agreement was issued Tuesday local time, which amounts to half that of the National Guard currently on guard on Capitol Hill, where there are some 5.200 troops.

"This decision was made after a thorough review of requests and after careful consideration of their potential impact on preparedness", the Pentagon said in an official statement.

It said that over the next two months the Pentagon will work with the Capitol Police to reduce troop numbers if conditions allow.

"We are grateful for the support of the Pentagon. The National Guard has played an important role in improving the security posture", the Capitol Police said in a statement following the approval.

Since the January 6 attacks on Capitol Hill by former President Donald Trump's supporters, National Guard troops have been dispatched to support the experience. A report released on Monday recommended the use of a 'movable fence' to protect the Capitol and urged the creation of a rapid response force in Washington, as Capitol Police were less prepared for an attack on the building.

Earlier, in early March the Capitol Police had requested an extension of the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington DC, particularly in the Capitol Hill area. A total of 4.900 troops have been proposed for an extension to March 12, as reported by CNN.

This request comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI warns against threats posed by domestic extremists, including concerns about potential violence around March 4 onwards.

"The numbers are based on the different missions they want, National Guard members will support, response forces, perimeter, security, such mission sets. We are working with them. As you know, the current request ends on March 12. We are trying to determine with them the level of security they need from the National Guard given that things have changed", Pentagon official Robert Salesses said at the time.

"We work very closely with the FBI, Secret Service, and others as well as the Capitol Police to try to determine what they believe to be a threat, and then look at what they believe the National Guard needs or the kinds of missions. That they need support, we work very close to them trying to determine what it is. Obviously, 4900 is a very large number on Capitol Hill", he added.