【Text/Observer Network Zhou Yibo】
The National Guard has a long history of providing security for U.S. presidents' inaugurations, but the number of security guards for Biden this year is a bit large.
As of January 11, local time, the U.S. Department of Defense has authorized a total of 15,000 National Guard soldiers across the country to deploy in Washington, D.C., before January 20 this year, to escort President-elect Biden before and during his inauguration.
Notably, the figure of 15,000 is more than double the number of National Guard soldiers scheduled during Trump's inauguration in 2017.
U.S. National Guard infographic near the White House
On January 6, local time, after Trump supporters triggered riots in the US Capitol, about 6,200 National Guard soldiers were deployed to Washington, D.C., to maintain order in the capital.
According to a number of US media sources such as the Washington Post and Politico, Daniel R. Hokanson, director of the US National Guard and Army General, said on January 11 local time that as of January 16, the number of soldiers stationed in Washington, D.C. will increase to 10,000, in addition to 5,000 soldiers have also been authorized to travel to the capital, but the final number will depend on the needs of federal agencies.
Hoganson noted that soldiers will be deployed by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), the Capitol Police (USCP) and the Park Police (USPP) to provide security, logistics, liaison and communications for law enforcement.
Asked if the soldiers were armed, Hoganson said the decision would be based on discussions with the FBI and police.
He added: "Ideally, we will never need them (weapons), but if we do, we want to know that they are nearby and ready to use." ”
U.S. National Guard Commissioner and Army General Daniel Hoganson
It is reported that up to 200,000 people attend each presidential inauguration, and there are also large-scale parades and celebrations, but this year's situation may be different.
As early as last December, Biden's inauguration committee called on U.S. citizens to stay at home and watch the presidential inauguration on television, according to the U.S. Capitol Hill website.
At the same time, in order to prevent and control the new crown epidemic, strict health and safety measures will be implemented at the ceremony, and the parade will be cancelled.
On January 11, local time, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and the governors of Virginia and Maryland, which are adjacent to Washington, D.C., also issued an appeal urging the public not to attend the presidential inauguration.
In addition, according to tradition, the inauguration of the President of the United States will be held at the U.S. Capitol.
However, after the riots broke out in the US Capitol on January 6, local time, The National Guard soldiers stationed here have erected a row of "non-turnable fences" about 2.1 meters high, which will be used for at least one month.
In fact, the National Guard has a long history of escorting the president's inauguration, but this time the number of people stationed is indeed relatively large.
After searching, in 2017, at Trump's inauguration, about 7,000 National Guard soldiers were stationed in Washington, D.C.
At Obama's re-election in 2013, the National Guard was stationed at more than 6,000 people.
In other words, in order to protect the safety of Biden's inauguration, the U.S. Department of Defense has stationed more than twice as many soldiers as before to maintain order in the capital.
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