Pentagon Approves Deployment of 700 National Guard Members in Preparation of Covid-19 Protests

Yesterday the Defense Department approved the use of 700 National Guard members and 50 large tactical vehicles ahead of possible trucker convoy protests descending on the Washington D.C. area. According to the D.C. National Guard, members have been activated on two separate missions and will provide command, control and support at traffic points, they will not be armed and will not be authorized to conduct law-enforcement or domestic surveillance activities. The guard is also not approved to use helicopters or other aircraft according to a statement. The Defense Department received two requests for guard support, the first came last Wednesday from the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved 400 members of the guard and the 50 large tactical vehicles for that mission. The vehicles will be placed at designated traffic posts around the clock beginning Saturday and the mission will continue until March 8th. The second request came from U.S. Capitol Police on Sunday and Austin approved 300 members of the National Guard for that mission which will also begin Saturday.