As someone that spent time in the military, the movements of the armed forces are something of great concern to me. I remember during the Persian Gulf War, how I had a member of the family that ended up coming home earlier than they were scheduled to simply because they were not needed.
You don’t want to leave these people away from their families any longer than absolutely necessary. Anything longer than the amount of time that they are needed and ends up becoming a waste of money.
That being said, it isn’t exactly like there are people ready to storm the Capitol again, so why the heck are there still national guard troops there?
National Guard troops will remain stationed at the U.S. Capitol until March 22, according to a Pentagon spokesman.
“We’re obviously constantly in touch with the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service and D.C. officials about the need about the requirement. And we’re always evaluating it,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto on Tuesday.
“There’s no incidents to report. Things are safe and secure right now,” he said.
Many lawmakers have called for the troops to be sent home earlier.
“There are still 6,000 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.,” Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina said Tuesday on Twitter. “There is no imminent threat. Bring. Them. Home.”
“Let’s do this sooner. There is no need for this severe of a lock down,” Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, tweeted Tuesday.
“Having a quick reaction force near by and actually listening to intelligence will keep us safe.”
The National Guard has been stationed in Washington since the Jan. 6 incursion of the Capitol.
There were 25,000 troops deployed for President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and 7,000 remained at the Capitol during the Senate impeachment hearings over concerns of “civil unrest.”
Five-thousand troops will remain until March 22.