National Guard members allowed back at Capitol after they were banished to a parking garage
Thousands of of National Guard members forced from the U.S. Capitol in Washington and into a parking garage Thursday night were allowed to return indoors to rest, defense officials said Friday.
The abrupt announcement came after photos of soldiers lying on concrete prompted outrage from lawmakers.
Pictures on social media showed many troops sitting or lying down in cold hard floors in areas cordoned off with caution tape. There was reportedly one electrical outlet and one bathroom with two stalls for 5,000 troops. Although many were seen wearing masks but the troops being packed together in the garage was also described as a “serious COVID-19 risk” by some health experts.
“We honestly just feel betrayed,” one guardsman told CNN. “Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed,” the Guardsman told Politco.
However, all troops in the parking garages have now been ordered to return inside the Capitol.
Nearly 26,000 National Guard members arrived after the January 6 Capitol riot to help secure the presidential inauguration. More than 10,000 remain on duty, while 15,000 others are slated to return home in the coming days, defense officials said.
Reaction of lawmakers
Top lawmakers took to Twitter to criticize the decision and some even offered their offices to be used as rest areas.
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said “I can’t believe that the same brave servicemembers we’ve been asking to protect our Capitol and our Constitution these last two weeks would be unceremoniously ordered to vacate the building. I am demanding answers ASAP. They can use my office.”
Congressman Adam Kinzinger said: “This needs answers. The Guard is filled with heroes, and they aren’t “in the way.”
Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio tweeted: “Thousands of Guardsmen left their families and jobs to keep the Capitol safe. And what do they get for their service? Rest breaks in cold parking garages. What a disgrace.”
