Thousands of National Guardsmen arriving in DC to assist with Inauguration Day security
WASHINGTON - Thousands of servicemembers with the National Guard are arriving in D.C. to help with Inauguration Day security.
Col. Jonas Patruno with Massachusetts Army National Guard describes the operation as a joint effort. About 8,000 airmen and soldiers from 40 states and territories are part of the support surrounding inauguration events with tasks including crowd management, traffic control points, civil disturbance response, and sustainment operations.
"It’s almost like the perfect mission for us. We do come together across multiple states, which doesn’t happen all the time. We are joint, so we’re working air and Army together and it gives us the ability to learn from each other and see how other folks work," Col. Patruno said.
Trump Inauguration Day: Timeline of key inaugural events
When the servicemembers arrive, they report to the D.C. Armory to get checked in and briefed on topics. The National Guard also has medical and religious support teams for the soldiers and airmen, Patruno said.
Once they leave the D.C. Armory, they meet with task commanders and report to D.C. regions they are assigned.
"When I first got here with my soldiers, it’s one of the first things we talked about was why they joined and why they came. A couple of them said they just wanted to be a part of something bigger than their normal drill weekends," he said.
"A lot of the younger soldiers haven’t done anything and this was their first chance to be part of history, really."
Inauguration Day is Jan. 20, when President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office before his second term. On Wednesday, people waited hours at the Convention Center in D.C. for tickets for various inauguration events.
Inauguration Day 2025: Road closures, routes and timing
"I guess I would say, if you got super bowl tickets, you go whether it’s your team or not. That’s kind of how it is. It’s a spectacle, it’s a unique thing and it’s open to everyone in America," Timothy Curry of D.C. said. "I hope people realize it’s a celebration. Some people may not be happy, others are, but it’s going to change four years at a time. It’s changed before, and we need to celebrate these things and not be so divided about nuances that people are worried about."
Joan McKee of D.C. said it was worth waiting in line for her tickets.
"He’ll [President-elect Trumo] save the babies. No more killing babies at abortion. He knows how to speak to the leaders of other countries. He’s a good man," McKee said. "I’m looking forward to his leadership. I’m looking forward to people trying to be better Americans and mostly, stop the war of killing children."
Some National Guardsmen will support the U.S. Capitol Police during inauguration and may assist USCP with their duties within U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds.