D.C. National Guard troops were deployed in the nation’s capital Saturday evening as violent liberal protests continued for another day around the White House. Photos and video posted online show a convoy of several troop carriers driving from the East Capitol Street, SE, Armory located near RFK Stadium across town to the National Mall. Guard soldiers were seen in riot gear protecting the White House Saturday night at a security perimeter set on the far side of Lafayette Park from the White House. The perimeter was established earlier Saturday after the White House was put on lockdown several times Friday night as violent protesters trashed barricades on Pennsylvania Avenue right in front of the White House and attacked a Fox News crew.
Statement from the Commanding General:
The District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) has been activated at the direction of the Secretary of the Army in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Park Police to help maintain order during protests in the vicinity of the White House.
The DCNG, the Nation’s only Federal National Guard, reports to the President of the United States through the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army.
The DCNG is always ready to assist District and Federal agencies to protect human life and property. The DCNG is especially trained and equipped for this U.S. Park Police support mission and we proudly accept it.
– MG William J. Walker, Commanding General
National Guard convoy headed west down East Capitol from the DC Armory. @theHillisHome @postlocal @washingtonpost pic.twitter.com/t3f3OICgjo
— Andrew Wilkins (@A_Wilkins_) May 30, 2020
6:45 pm. Washington, DC. National Guard rolling down Mass Ave NE. #dcprotest pic.twitter.com/EyQMNHerFf
— Zach Lowe (@zlowe) May 30, 2020
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Breaking: National guard has increased deployement in Washington DC as protests continue to spread across the country. #protests #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #riots2020 #MAGANight pic.twitter.com/yKd2SWG98z
— Remmy Bahati (@BahatiRemmy) May 31, 2020
Looks like National Guard/Army is heading towards the protests now. This was minutes ago on 15th Ave NW pic.twitter.com/KU4BPt2fOU
— Zeke Hartner (@ZekeHartnerWTOP) May 31, 2020
The DC National Guard is on hand as protests continue tonight. I am told they were activated by the Secretary of the Army at the request of the US Park Police. pic.twitter.com/V5HoMPVQZI
— Tom Roussey (@tomrousseyABC7) May 31, 2020
DC National Guard have joined the law enforcement line in front the White House.#dcprotest #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/QTU1FkssMC
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) May 31, 2020
The standoff at the White House was tense just before the Guard troops arrived.
Getting real tense here in front of the White House.
People charged the barricade and grabbed it / tore it down. Cops fired a round of rubber bullets and deployed tear gas at protesters attempting to get past the fence. #dcprotests pic.twitter.com/oh7BJEhOKS
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) May 31, 2020
The deployment of the National Guard comes less than twenty-four hours after Secret Service and Park Police officers ended a violent protest in front of the White House at 3:22 a.m. with massive doses of pepper spray at the mob after bricks were thrown at police.
