In one of the most rapid national disgraces ever seen in a Presidency now two days old, Democrats decided to stab the military tasked to protect them in the back. Thursday afternoon, US Capitol Police officials ordered the National Guard soldiers temporarily resting in congressional office buildings to vacate them immediately. The troops were sent to rest outside and in nearby parking structures in near-freezing weather, even for a military deployment that’s a bit rough.
Politico reported,
“One unit, which had been resting in the Dirksen Senate Office building, was abruptly told to vacate the facility on Thursday, according to one Guardsman. The group was forced to rest in a nearby parking garage without internet reception, with just one electrical outlet, and one bathroom with two stalls for 5,000 troops, the person said. Temperatures in Washington were in the low 40s by nightfall.
“Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed,” the Guardsman said.”
National Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy said,
“As Congress is in session and increased foot traffic and business is being conducted, Capitol Police asked the troops to move their rest area,” the Major continued “They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heat and restroom facilities. We remain an agile and flexible force to provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and its surrounding areas.”
An Unexpected Offer of Help (Shouldn’t He Be Golfing?)
Jack Posobiec of OANN reported exclusively that per a Trump advisor the President “has given permission for troops to stay at the Trump Hotel DC if any of them need to.”
SCOOP: Trump has given permission for the troops to stay at Trump Hotel DC if any of them need, per advisor @OANN
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 22, 2021
President Trump offers his D.C. hotel to National Guard troops who were kicked out of Capitol Building – https://t.co/t0OA7jmJ4a #OANN pic.twitter.com/oWQfQgAlZr
— One America News (@OANN) January 22, 2021
The response from Congressional Republicans was brutal and almost immediate. Senator Dick Durban (R-Ill) said, “Well, I don’t want to go out on a limb but let me say this, whatever blockhead in the United States Senate decided that the National Guard has to sleep in the parking garage should be sleeping in the parking garage themselves tonight,”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy chimed in on twitter,
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. pic.twitter.com/J0R2dRC8bM
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 22, 2021
OANN has reported that,
“It’s unclear who gave the initial order, but some Republicans are pointing the finger at Nancy Pelosi who has remained silent on the issue. Meanwhile, several state governor’s have ordered their troops to return home.”
Last night, I ordered our Adjutant General to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the National Capital Region.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 22, 2021
Local Tallahassee affiliate WTXL has confirmed that Florida Governor Ron De Santis has ordered the Florida National Guard troops deployed in DC to return to base.
Our troops deserve the utmost honor & respect for securing the Capitol & defending democracy this week.
This is unconscionable & unsafe. Whoever’s decision this was to house our National Guardsmen & women in underground parking lots must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/mBwpoog6YC
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 22, 2021
Even Out of Office, He’s Still Leading on Policy for Our Military
Senator James Inhofe said that he’d spoken with the Army chief of staff and the acting chief of Capitol Police about the situation.
“So this is what happened. There was one uniformed police offer who issued who issued an order without authority or going through the chain of command. I’m glad the Capitol Police are trying to figure who it was. We will identify who that person was and make it public.”
The US National Guard issued a statement after the controversy was resolved with the troops being allowed to return to the Capitol Building shortly after midnight Friday morning.
“Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, Inauguration Task Force Commander confirms that troops are out of the garage and back into the Capitol building as authorized by the USCP (U.S. Capitol Police) Watch Commander and the troops will take their breaks near Emancipation Hall going forward.”
CBS’ Debra Alfarone checked on the troops shortly after.
I just talked to these National Guard troops inside the Capitol Visitor Center. They say they’re happy to be back inside. I asked where the rest of them are. They said out on the line. pic.twitter.com/gNvYSRCUz6
— Debra Alfarone (@DebraAlfarone) January 22, 2021
Even after he’s left office, President Trump is still weighing heavily into the Government’s military policy and Congress is still reacting to him. With a brief, indirect statement President Trump brought additional press and attention to a cause that he has demonstrated over four years is very important to him: America’s soldiers.
