Fortress DC: 8,000 troops guarding Trump inauguration

Washington, DC – January 19, 2021: Armed National Guardsmen on security detail at the U.S. Capitol

Nearly 8,000 National Guard troops have been requested by the U.S. Secret Service to support the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, the Pentagon confirmed.

Sabrina Singh, deputy spokesperson for the Defense Department, said the request for 7,800 troops is expected to be approved soon. This is in addition to the 500 National Guard members already assisting with security during the certification of electoral votes on Monday.

Heightened Security Measures in Place

Tall black fences surround the U.S. Capitol, a reminder of the chaos four years ago when rioters stormed the building. However, officials anticipate no protests or violence as Donald Trump prepares to return to office. The 2025 inauguration has been designated a “national special security event,” enabling federal, state, and local agencies to coordinate extensive resources for safety.

FILE – Deciding to skip President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, outgoing President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart Washington en route to his Mar-a-Lago Florida Resort, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Jan. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Historic Role of National Guard

The National Guard has a long history of supporting presidential inaugurations, dating back to George Washington. After the 2020 election, more than 25,000 Guard troops secured Washington following the Capitol riots, with no incidents during the 2021 inauguration. This year, over two dozen states have pledged to send troops if needed, ensuring robust security in both Washington, D.C., and state capitals nationwide.

A Promise of Orderly Transition

In an opinion piece, President Joe Biden reflected on the 2021 Capitol attack, praising democracy’s resilience. He assured Americans that this year’s inauguration will mark a peaceful transition of power, contrasting it with the turmoil of the past. Biden emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles as Trump begins his second term.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.