The idea of a true threat to the U.S. Capitol was dismissed at the Pentagon this week when spokesman John Kirby told the Washington Examiner that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's approval of a two-month extension for some 2,300 Guard members was in order to "buy them [Capitol Police] some time and space."
National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson also said in an internal memo dated March 4 that he disagreed with Austin's decision given Guard responsibilities in their home states. Now, the National Guard Association representing the more than 450,000 citizen soldiers, has also denounced the extension.
"This enduring requirement of having them around the city, I think it's completely inappropriate at best, illegal at worst," National Guard Association Chairman and Arizona Adjunct General, Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire told the Washington Examiner Friday.
McGuire is the only adjunct general to refuse to authorize his state's Guard deployment to the Capitol since Jan. 9.
"Every American citizen should be concerned that an unelected Cabinet secretary can move forces into the city," he added. "The National Guard specifically is the last line of defense for direct policing action only in the emergent period when it is life, limb, protection of property."
Meanwhile, the Guard is having difficulty sourcing the extension request and may force Guard members to stay involuntarily, while bipartisan calls from Congress have moved for the citizen soldiers to be sent home. Still, Kirby pushed back Thursday on the idea of a never-ending mission.
"I don't think anybody wants to see this become an enduring mission," he told reporters, while refusing to say whether Austin would approve another extension beyond May 23.
"At the same time, he recognizes that there is a legitimate need for them," Kirby said. "A valid requirement because of some capability gaps and capacity shortages right now that the Capitol Police are experiencing, as they adjust to a new post-Jan. 6 environment."
Congressional testimony has revealed that failure to share intelligence adequately and concerns about the "optics" of having National Guard troops at the U.S. Capitol contributed to it being overrun by pro-Trump rioters on Jan. 6, when electoral votes were being counted.
Comment: And therein lies some interesting stories:
- DC Mayor Muriel Bowser refused extra assistance for DC police day before capitol riot
- Why was Capitol police chief's request for National Guard denied ahead of riot? Republicans ask Nancy Pelosi
- DC National Guard commander says Pentagon restricted his authority before riot
- CNN: Feds looking at communications between lawmakers, Capitol rioters
- Capitol siege: Four vets give firsthand account on Thursday's protest at US Capitol
- Journalist A.J. Cooke: I covered the Capitol Protest- there were NO riots
A subsequent six-week, congressionally ordered investigation led by retired Lt. Gen. Russell Honore called for permanent physical barriers to replace miles of temporary razor wire-topped fencing and a standby quick reaction force.
A decision on these and other measures has not yet been made, but Capitol Police are still struggling to fill a reported 233 vacancies.
The U.S. Capitol Police did not respond to multiple inquiries from the Washington Examiner.
Even Hokanson disagreed with Austin's decision to extend the mission, writing in the leaked memo that tapping the National Guard to fill those vacancies is not what the Guard was created for.
"I am concerned that the continued indefinite nature of this requirement may also impede our ability to man future missions," the memo read. "Efforts to date have not secured enough volunteers among supporting states to meet the USCP request of 2,280 soldiers, nor Option B of 1,000 soldiers."
In Hokanson's March 4 dissent, he cited "unprecedented demand" for the National Guard by governors across the nation to fulfill needs, including national disasters, civil unrest, overseas deployments, and COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Abraham Mahshie is the defense and national security reporter for the Washington Examiner, working from the Pentagon. As a journalist with two decades of experience, he has covered security and political affairs across the United States and Latin America for a variety of media. He has also served as a diplomat and defense contractor. Abraham grew up in Miami, Florida, and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. He earned his B.A. from Dartmouth College and his M.A. at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
The National Guard stands at a higher moral integrity the Capitol does not.