More than twenty states have expressed readiness to dispatch National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., in anticipation of possible unrest during the upcoming presidential election and subsequent inauguration, according to National Guard officials.
Although the District of Columbia has not issued any official requests for Guard support, government agencies are actively preparing for the potential for violent incidents when Congress certifies the election results on January 6, followed by the inauguration two weeks later.

Approximately 25,000 National Guard troops were deployed to Washington in the aftermath of the violent events on January 6, 2021, when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, attempting to disrupt Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s victory.
During the inauguration, these troops collaborated with local and federal law enforcement to secure critical locations, including the Capitol, national monuments, transit access points, and the city’s central areas.

In a press briefing, Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, who leads future operations for the National Guard Bureau, mentioned that the specific number of troops needed this year remains uncertain and will largely depend on requests from the District of Columbia. He emphasized that the National Guard Bureau, along with various states, is preparing in anticipation of a potential request for support.
“Our mission is to assist D.C. with logistics, transportation, and any other necessities as they prepare,” he stated.

Additional factors affecting troop deployment include intelligence reports on threats to public safety and the power transition process. Concerns surrounding potential violence are intensified by Trump’s unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud, which he has repeatedly asserted at rallies. He has claimed that the only way he could lose is through deceit by Democrats and has consistently been vague regarding his willingness to accept the election result, irrespective of its outcome.

Historically, National Guard members have played a supportive role in presidential inaugurations, a tradition that dates back to President George Washington’s inauguration. However, the event in 2021 necessitated an extensive military response due to the January 6 riot, which prompted lawmakers to evacuate the Capitol and postponed the vote certification for several hours. After the chaos, Guard troops rapidly arrived in significant numbers.

In 2021, certain states opted not to send their troops, mainly due to concerns over potential violence within their own jurisdictions. Current defense officials have disclosed that ten states have mobilized their National Guard members for the election, primarily for cybersecurity initiatives, amounting to around 125 personnel.
Furthermore, nine states, along with the District of Columbia, have placed approximately 120 Guard members on standby, ready to deploy if necessary over the next few days, again focusing mainly on cybersecurity but also offering some security measures.
These states include Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, with troop numbers expected to fluctuate on Election Day as states reevaluate their requirements.