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Washington Beefs Up Security Ahead of Presidential Inauguration

Jeff Seldin

   The same day the U.S. Congress voted to impeach President Donald Trump
   for a second time, the nation's capital prepared to welcome thousands
   more National Guard troops to help keep the peace during next week's
   transfer of power.

   "I think you can expect to see somewhere upwards of beyond 20,000
   members of the National Guard that will be here," Robert Contee, acting
   chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of
   Columbia, told reporters Wednesday.

   Defense officials confirmed the increased authorization, which came
   just days after the National Guard said it was sending up to 15,000
   troops to the city to help with security ahead of the January 20
   inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in
   November's election.

   Officials said 10,000 guardsmen -- part-time soldiers who can be
   deployed overseas but who are often called upon to help with
   emergencies in their home states -- are expected to be on duty in
   Washington by Friday. The rest will arrive soon afterward.

   More than 6,000 National Guard troops have been on duty in Washington
   and at the Capitol itself since pro-Trump extremists stormed the
   building last Wednesday.

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