by Kyle Becker at Becker News
A newly obtained memo shows that the National Guard chief of bureau sought to withdraw 2,280 troops from the nation’s capitol, but was overruled by Biden-nominated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The memo, obtained by Fox News, shows that the National Guard chief Daniel R. Hokanson, a four-star general who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sought to pull the troops due to mission “overstretch” and the “indefinite nature” of the D.C. security mission.
“I am concerned that the continued indefinite nature of this requirement may also impede our ability to man future missions as both adjutants general and guardsmen alike may be skeptical about committing to future endeavors,” the National Guard chief’s memo stated.
Exclusive report from @GillianHTurner – Top General of the National Guard opposed keeping troops in DC but was overturned by Biden administration pic.twitter.com/MlybYuOqMr
— johnny dollar (@johnnydollar01) March 11, 2021
Furthermore, the general also expressed his concern about maintaining even reduced troop levels to remain in Washington D.C..
The report reveals the National Guard chief’s concern that his troops were “already over-stretched due to coronavirus constraints, civil disturbances and wildfires.” Fox News’s Gillian Anderson produced a copy of said memo:
#EXCLUSIVE official government memo obtained by #FOXNEWS shows #NATIONALGUARD chief laying out case that guard NOT EQUIPPED to carry out mission in DC to protect the #Capitol— dissents from Pentagon decision to continue the mission pic.twitter.com/w8MU9FlspZ
— Gillian Turner (@GillianHTurner) March 11, 2021
On Tuesday, the news broke that the Pentagon was considering involuntary activation orders to keep the National Guard troops in the capitol.
“The deliberation on a mandatory activation of reservists comes just one day after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he will be extending the National Guard troop’s time stationed at the U.S. Capitol until May 28, following a request from Capitol Police,” Fox News reported, based on a McClatchy scoop.
Asked if National Guard could remain on duty in D.C. permanently, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby replies, “I don’t think anyone can answer that question right now.”
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) March 9, 2021
“I don’t think anyone can answer that question right now,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told Fox News.
The militarization of the nation’s capitol is a heavy contrast with the deliberately lax security at the Electoral College session of Congress on January 6th, which contributed to the planned storming of the Capitol Building.
Furthermore, the commanding general made it clear that such concerns were “unusual” and had not been raised during similar civil disturbances in Washington D.C. in the past.
Speaker Pelosi’s role in the delays over authorizing National Guard troops was confirmed by the testimony of the former House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving.
It should be noted that the Pentagon placed limits on the…
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