Lamont sending 200 more National Guard members to U.S. Capitol
Another 200 Connecticut National Guardsmen are deploying to Washington, D.C., to help protect the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Gov. Ned Lamont received a request for additional troops from the chief of the National Guard Bureau, which he approved. That will bring the total number of Connecticut Guardsmen in Washington to 300. The state also is contributing equipment and supplies, including ambulances, the governor’s office said in a news release Friday.
The 100 troops already authorized for deployment to the Capitol include military police personnel, as well as two patrol explosive-detection dog teams that are dual-trained for police patrol activities and explosive detection.
The state’s Air Guard has placed C-130H aircraft and crews, which are capable of moving personnel throughout the country if needed, on alert status.
“The peaceful transfer of power is a central tenet of American democracy, and Connecticut stands ready to aid in the protection of our country,” Lamont said in Friday's news release. “May God bless all of our brave men and women in uniform for everything they do to uphold and defend our Constitution and keep our nation safe.”
The Pentagon has authorized up to 25,000 National Guard members to help secure Washington, D.C., following the deadly insurrection at the Capitol building last week.
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