National Guard Troops Activated To Protect Monuments In Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of National Guard troops are being activated to help protect monuments in Washington, D.C. The troops were requested by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt after a group of protesters tried to tear down a statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square.

The National Guard members will be unarmed and serving in "crowd management capacity."

"They will support U.S. Park Police at key monuments to prevent any defacing or destruction," the National Guard said in a statement.

The Pentagon said that about 400 troops from the D.C. National Guard are on standby.

"Since their activation, none of the National Guard members have been dispatched to actual monument locations to provide assistance to the NPP," Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Christian Mitchell said in a statement. "They remain on standby at the D.C. Armory at this time."

The National Guard troops are expected to remain the D.C. area until at least July 4.

Photo: Getty Images


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