The former co-chair of the Jan. 6 House Selection Committee has inaccurately stated that President Trump denied the request for the National Guard on that day. This comes amid protests against ICE in Los Angeles. On June 8, Sen. Benny Thompson (D-Miss.) claimed via social media that “Trump refused to call the National Guard during the January 6 rebellion.”
However, it’s been reported that, just days ago, President Trump had authorized the deployment of up to 20,000 National Guard troops for January 6. According to federal law, these troops need to be requested by either the governor or the mayor, which in this case would be the mayor of Washington, D.C.
Democrat leaders declined National Guard assistance
Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, turned down the offer of National Guard support in a letter to the Department of Defense on January 5.
Former Capitol Police Chief Stephen A. Sund indicated in recent meetings that he had asked for security reinforcements. At that time, the House Sergeant at Arms, Paul Irving, informed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) about the situation, while Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger spoke with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Sund was later informed by Stenger that the request for the National Guard had not been made. “Pelosi never goes for it,” was reportedly stated by Irving.
The Sergeant at Arms position is one of three voting members of the Capitol Police Commission, responsible for security at the Capitol. The National Guard’s assistance was ultimately turned down after the Capitol was breached by thousands of protesters on January 6.
A report from the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector regarding the events of January 6 reveals that discussions about deploying National Guard forces had taken place during a White House meeting on January 3, 2021, which included Secretary of Defense Chris Miller and General Mark Milley. Miller stated, “The president said there were a large number of protesters on January 6,” emphasizing that appropriate measures had to be in place for safety.
Kash Patel, who is now the FBI director, claimed that Trump acted within constitutional boundaries. He said, “If you need up to 20,000 National Guardsmen and women, not just in D.C., but anywhere in the country, you have my permission,” recalling Trump’s words.
Miller added that during one call, the president emphasized the need for readiness, reflecting concerns over the impending protests. “The president was fulfilling his role as commander-in-chief,” he noted.
Yet, on January 6, there were delays in the deployment of National Guard troops due to concerns over the “optics” of their presence at the Capitol. This caused a significant delay of three hours and nineteen minutes before troops arrived on the scene. Casey Wardenski, a 30-year Army veteran, argued that Department of Defense officials appeared more interested in political considerations than in ensuring a timely response.
New Jersey State Police ahead of National Guard
Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), who chairs the House Oversight Committee, pointed out that findings from investigations were overlooked by the January 6 Committee, despite the November 2021 Pentagon Inspector General Report indicating delays in the National Guard’s arrival. He noted, “It took too long for the D.C. National Guard to reach the Capitol, while New Jersey State Police were already responding.”
Footage from an HBO documentary highlights Pelosi’s frustration over the lack of security personnel at the Capitol on January 6. Sund remarked that if Pelosi had only acknowledged the National Guard’s request on January 3, the current dialogue would likely be different.
Reflecting on the response to his urgent pleas for support, Sund called it “absolutely awful,” noting that National Guard members had been near the Capitol but were deemed unnecessary at that moment. “They might not have shown up, but it wouldn’t have changed things,” he concluded.
