States say they will send National Guard troops to certify the vote

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) – More than two dozen states have indicated they would be willing to send National Guard troops to Washington if asked in the coming weeks. the presidential elections and in the run-up to the inauguration, Guard officials said Monday.

The District of Columbia has yet to make a formal request for guard troops, but government officials braced for the possibility that the U.S. Capitol could once again be rocked by violence around the city. certification of elections by Congress on January 6 and the inauguration two weeks later.

About 25,000 guardsmen from across the country flooded Washington in the following days deadly January 6, 2021, riotwhen thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.

Troops, along with local and federal law enforcement, shut down the city for the inauguration, securing the Capitol, monuments, subway entrances and the downtown perimeter.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, chief of future operations for the National Guard Bureau, said it was not yet clear how many Guard troops would be needed or requested this year. He said it would depend on what the District of Columbia wants, but noted that the National Guard Bureau and states are leaning forward pending a request for assistance.

“We’re here to support DC with support, accommodation, transportation – whatever they need to prepare for this mission,” he said.

Other officials said it would also depend on intelligence reports assessing potential threats to the city and the transition of power.

Backing up concerns about possible violence are Trump’s claims — no evidence — that fraud is already underway in the election. At rally after rally, he has told supporters that the only way he can lose is if Democrats cheat, and has repeatedly declined to say whether he will accept the results, regardless of the outcome.

Historically, members of the Guard have provided support for presidential inaugurations, dating back to that of President George Washington.

But the 2021 event involved an enormous backlash because of the Jan. 6 riot that forced lawmakers out of the Capitol, delaying the certification of the presidential vote by hours. In the following days, the Guard poured into the city by bus.

In 2021, several states refused to send troops, also worried about violence within their own borders and capitals.

Defense officials said Monday that 10 states have activated National Guard members to assist in the election — primarily doing cybersecurity missions. The total number of troops is approximately 125.

In addition, nine states and the District of Columbia have put a total of about 120 Guard troops on standby, ready to be deployed if needed on Tuesday or in the coming days, also mostly for cyber and some security missions .

These states are Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. Officials said those numbers could change on Election Day as states reassess their needs.

Originally published: November 4, 2024 at 7:46 PM EST