National Guardsmen pour in......

National Guardsmen pour into D.C. after Capitol overrun by pro-Trump rioters

All members of the D.C. National Guard have been mobilized to help federal law officers control violent protests in Washington, Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said.

By JACQUELINE FELDSCHER and LARA SELIGMAN

More National Guardsmen from D.C., Maryland and Virginia were on their way to Washington on Wednesday to help control pro-Trump rioters who breached the U.S. Capitol.

All members of the D.C. National Guard have been mobilized to help federal law officers control violent protests in Washington, Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser mobilized 350 D.C. National Guard troops on Tuesday in anticipation of the expected riots, but those troops are tasked with crowd control and have not been at the Capitol.

Bowser called the Pentagon after protests unfolded, requesting 200 additional Guardsmen to surround the building, according to a defense official. The Army initially pushed back, because the original agreement stipulated that Guardsmen would not be in contact with civilians in order to avoid politicizing the military, the person said.

The Pentagon came under heavy criticism in June when National Guardsmen helped clear Lafayette Square of peaceful protesters in order for President Donald Trump to stage a photo op in front of a church holding a Bible. On Monday, the Guard announced that its personnel would be unarmed and would not wear body armor.

On Wednesday, after Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy got off the phone with Bowser, he worked with acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller to find a solution. Now all members of the D.C. National Guard will report to the armory within the next four hours.

The Department of Justice will lead the operation, Hoffman said. A second defense official said these Guardsmen will be armed if Bowser approves it.

Washington's neighboring states are also sending personnel to respond to the incidents. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said on Twitter that members of the state’s National Guard as well as 200 Virginia state police will help respond to the riots after consulting with congressional leaders. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also tweeted that "troopers" are on their way to help local forces "restore order."

Thousands of Trump supporters descended on the capital to protest President-elect Joe Biden’s victory after Trump spent weeks making false claims about election fraud. The rioters quickly overwhelmed the Capitol police, breaking into the building and even reaching the Senate floor.

Lawmakers and staff were either evacuated or asked to shelter in place.

Because the District of Columbia is not a state, requests to activate the National Guard must be approved by the Pentagon. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told her the demand for additional troops had been approved by the administration.

“They are already in coordination with DC law enforcement in order to restore order,” she said. “Army Secretary McCarthy confirmed the same to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith.”