About 100 soldiers from the Vermont National Guard are being deployed to Washington, D.C., ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden.
Gov. Phil Scott announced the deployment Thursday morning, citing the need to secure a peaceful transition of power following last week’s riots at the Capitol.
“I am grateful to the brave men and women of the Vermont National Guard for their service and doing their part during this deployment to protect our republic and the democratic values we hold dear,” Scott said in a tweet.
The Vermont soldiers are predominantly Mountain troops from the 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
The Guard worked with Scott to ensure Vermont can assist in Washington without affecting the Guard’s role in the state’s Covid-19 response or other state needs.
The National Guard is the latest organization to bolster an increasingly strong security presence in the nation’s capital, following the riots Jan. 6 when a mob spurred on by President Trump broke into the Capitol building while Congress was confirming Biden’s election as president. Five people died, and Senate and House members have recalled terrifying moments when they hid from the mob, fearing for their lives.
D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee expects “beyond 20,000” Guardsmen to be on hand by the inauguration ceremonies Jan. 20, assisting with security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics and safety support for district and federal agencies.
Meantime, the FBI has been monitoring threats in Washington and in state capitals, including Montpelier. The FBI issued a warning Monday about the Vermont Statehouse, saying armed protests are being planned for as early as this weekend.
As a precaution, Montpelier and Roxbury public schools have announced virtual-only learning on the day of the inauguration. Montpelier High School is a stone’s throw from the Statehouse.
The Vermont Guardsmen will also be following Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control, and may quarantine when they return to the state, Guard officials said.
