NEW ORLEANS– (WGNO) With heighten security measures being put in place at our Nation’s Capitol, they’ve called in extra forces.
The Louisiana National Guard is officially in Washington, D.C. to help keep the peace. They were given orders for up to 31 days but, that could be extended depending on the completion of their mission.
This isn’t the first time they’ve been there for the inauguration. The National Guard has a long history of providing support during the ceremonies. This year though will be a little different given the tension and the previous attack on the Capitol.
More than 170 soldiers and airmen from Louisiana are in Washington, D.C. for the inaugural ceremonies. On Sunday, they were sworn in as special police. The Louisiana National Guard will be providing security and communications support as requested. Taking the lead during the inauguration as the federal agency, the U.S. Secret Service is responsible for coordinating, planning, and implementing security for the Presidential Inauguration.
Throughout Washington, D.C, there are checkpoints and lots of blockades, plus there are more than 25,000 guardsmen who were called in from across the country.
“Our guardsmen and servicemen and women, I think across the board enjoy serving our state and the nation. The volunteers who chose to support this mission and go up to D.C. are part of that patriotic group that wants to serve the state and the nation at the best of their abilities,” said a spokesperson with the Louisiana National Guard.
It’s not just the Nation’s Capitol on high alert, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana lawmakers are closing the State’s Capitol today out of an abundance of caution.
Over the weekend in a joint statement, State Police and the FBI said, “So far, there have been no specific or substantiated threats to life or property.”
Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen from throughout the state prep their gear and board planes in order to assist the District of Columbia National Guard to ensure a safe and secure presidential inauguration at the Alexandria Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, Jan. 16, 2021. The National Guard Bureau requested support from guardsmen from across the states and territories to provide crowd management; traffic control in and around the Capitol, National Mall and White House; as well as communications, logistical, medical, and public affairs support. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen from throughout the state prep their gear and board planes in order to assist the District of Columbia National Guard to ensure a safe and secure presidential inauguration at the Alexandria Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, Jan. 16, 2021. The National Guard Bureau requested support from guardsmen from across the states and territories to provide crowd management; traffic control in and around the Capitol, National Mall and White House; as well as communications, logistical, medical, and public affairs support. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
U.S. Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard augment capitol police in securing traffic control points around the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
U.S. Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard augment capitol police in securing traffic control points around the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
U.S. Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard augment capitol police in securing traffic control points around the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
U.S. Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard augment capitol police in securing traffic control points around the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
A Soldier with the Utah Army National Guard’s 213th Forward Support Company, talks with a child through security barricades in Washington, D.C., during the lead up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 17, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh) 
U.S. Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard augment capitol police in securing traffic control points around the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh)
