National Guardsmen are ‘forced to sleep in a parking lot after being told to leave Capitol’

Thousands of National Guardsmen were on Thursday forced to sleep outside and in a parking lot after being told to leave the Capitol building they had successfully protected just 24 hours earlier. 

Up to 5,000 troops were kept in the garage with just a single power outlet, without internet and with one bathroom with two stalls, Politico first reported.  

Pictures show the troops sleeping on the floor of the packed parking lot Thursday where temperatures hit the low 40s. It is understood the soldiers do have hotel rooms but their shift pattern means they cannot easily return to their rooms during rest breaks.  

By midnight Thursday the Guardsman had been allowed back in the Capitol after the image sparked fury and police were forced to ‘apologize’. One unnamed soldier said the forced move to the lot had left troops ‘feeling incredibly betrayed’. 

He said: ‘Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed.’ 

Another guardsman told CNN: ‘After everything went seamlessly, we were deemed useless and banished to a corner of a parking garage.’  One more told Task & Purpose: ‘Leaving our families for the last two weeks to come down here. It’s certainly important and historic, but the day after inauguration you kick us literally to the curb? Come on, man.’  

Amid concerns about COVID-19 one soldier told The Washington Post: ‘We are on top of each other all day, every day. We’ve given up.’ Another added: ‘Our guidance is if you’re not eating or drinking, you need to be wearing a mask. We’ve already had just some in my unit alone test positive for Covid, and they’re just keeping us packed together with caution tape in small areas. And that’s the only authorized rest area.’

The images of the guardsmen sparked had fierce reaction from politicians on both sides of the aisle Thursday night, with Democrats and Republicans demanding answers as to why the men and women were told to leave the Capitol complex. Some offered their offices to the troops.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the soldiers ‘deserve to be treated with respect’; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the move was ‘outrageous’. 

A Guard spokesperson said ‘increased foot traffic’ due to Congress being in session had resulted Capitol police ‘asking troops to move their rest area’.  

A Capitol police spokesman told CBS the department ‘immensely appreciates the integral support of the U.S. National Guard in helping to secure the Capitol Complex leading up to, and including the Inaugural ceremony.’ 

They added: ‘Recently, the Department requested that the troops’ schedules be changed so they work no more than 8-hour shifts to allow for more off-campus rest time post-Inauguration. The Guard is reviewing the request so that logistics and schedules can be adjusted.’ 

  

Idaho National Guard troops sleep and eat on the eastern lawn of the US Capitol building on Capitol Hill Thursday 

Up to 5,000 troops have been kept without internet, with one electrical outlet, and one bathroom with two stalls, reports say

Up to 5,000 troops have been kept without internet, with one electrical outlet, and one bathroom with two stalls, reports say

One soldier said: 'After everything went seamlessly, we were deemed useless and banished to a corner of a parking garage'

One soldier said: ‘After everything went seamlessly, we were deemed useless and banished to a corner of a parking garage’

Pictures show Guardsmen sleeping on the floor of the packed parking lot Thursday, just 24 hours after the inauguration

Pictures show Guardsmen sleeping on the floor of the packed parking lot Thursday, just 24 hours after the inauguration 

Pictures show troops sleeping on the floor of the packed parking lot Thursday where temperatures hit the low 40s. It is understood the soldiers do have hotel rooms but they work shifts for a day or two and cannot easily return to their rooms during rest breaks

Pictures show troops sleeping on the floor of the packed parking lot Thursday where temperatures hit the low 40s. It is understood the soldiers do have hotel rooms but they work shifts for a day or two and cannot easily return to their rooms during rest breaks

Congressman Madison Cawthorn posted to Instagram: 'I just visited the soldiers who have been abandoned & insulted by our leaders. I brought them pizza and told them that they can sleep in my office. No soldier will ever, ever sleep on a garage floor in the US Capitol while I work in Congress Our Troops deserve better'

Congressman Madison Cawthorn posted to Instagram: ‘I just visited the soldiers who have been abandoned & insulted by our leaders. I brought them pizza and told them that they can sleep in my office. No soldier will ever, ever sleep on a garage floor in the US Capitol while I work in Congress Our Troops deserve better’

Biden is pictured being sworn in on a family bible held by his wife, First Lady Jill Biden . Thousands of troops were drafted in to help protect the event in which Biden became the 46th president of the United States

Biden is pictured being sworn in on a family bible held by his wife, First Lady Jill Biden . Thousands of troops were drafted in to help protect the event in which Biden became the 46th president of the United States

Following fierce reaction online from politicians on both sides of the aisle Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted: 'Just made a number of calls and have been informed Capitol Police have apologized to the Guardsmen and they will be allowed back into the complex tonight'

Following fierce reaction online from politicians on both sides of the aisle Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted: ‘Just made a number of calls and have been informed Capitol Police have apologized to the Guardsmen and they will be allowed back into the complex tonight’

Following fierce reaction online from politicians on both sides of the aisle, Capitol Police were forced to apologize to the Guardsmen.

Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted: ‘Just made a number of calls and have been informed Capitol Police have apologized to the Guardsmen and they will be allowed back into the complex tonight. I’ll keep checking to make sure they are.’

She had earlier said: ‘Unreal. I can’t believe that the same brave servicemembers we’ve been asking to protect our Capitol and our Constitution these last two weeks would be unceremoniously ordered to vacate the building. 

‘I am demanding answers ASAP. They can use my office.’ 

Shortly after midnight EST Duckworth confirmed the ‘troops are now all out of the garage’. 

The National Guard Bureau said Thursday that of the nearly 26,000 Guard troops deployed to D.C. for the inaugural, just 10,600 remain on duty. 

The bureau said the Guard is helping states with coordination and logistics so that troops can get home. 

But following reports of the guardsmen sleeping in parking lots House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted: ‘Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer—why are American troops who are tasked with keeping security at the Capitol being forced to sleep in a parking lot? 

‘They deserve to be treated with respect, and we deserve answers.’

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: ‘If this is true, it’s outrageous. I will get to the bottom of this.’ 

Officials said Thursday that of the nearly 26,000 Guard troops deployed to D.C. for the inaugural, just 10,600 remain on duty

Officials said Thursday that of the nearly 26,000 Guard troops deployed to D.C. for the inaugural, just 10,600 remain on duty

Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy had said: 'As Congress is in session and increased foot traffic and business is being conducted, Capitol Police asked the troops to move their rest area. 'They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heat and restroom facilities'

National Guard troops are pictured Thursday

Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy had said: ‘As Congress is in session and increased foot traffic and business is being conducted, Capitol Police asked the troops to move their rest area. They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heat and restroom facilities’

Guard spokesperson Maj. Matt Murphy had earlier said: ‘As Congress is in session and increased foot traffic and business is being conducted, Capitol Police asked the troops to move their rest area.

‘They were temporarily relocated to the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center garage with heat and restroom facilities. We remain an agile and flexible force to provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and its surrounding areas.’ 

He later added in a statement to Military Times: ‘Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, Inauguration Task Force Commander, confirms that troops are out of the garage and back into the Capitol building as authorized by the USCP Watch Commander and the troops will take their breaks near Emancipation Hall going forward.

‘Our troops are going to hotel rooms or other comfortable accommodations at the end of their shifts.’ 

Thousands of Guard troops from all across the country poured into D.C. by the planeload and busload late last week, in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting. 

Military aircraft crowded the runways at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, carrying Guard members into the region in the wake of the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Guard forces were scattered around the city, helping to secure the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances and the perimeter of central D.C., which was largely locked down for several days leading up to Wednesday’s inaugural ceremony.

After images of the men and women forced to sleep in the parking lot were shared Republican Sen. Mike Lee said: ‘Very upset by this story but I have been in touch with the Utah National Guard and they are taken care of. My staff and I are investigating what happened here and will continue working to fix this situation.’  

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted: ‘Yeah this is not okay.

‘My office is free this week to any service members who’d like to use it for a break or take nap on the couch. We’ll stock up on snacks for you all too.

‘(We’re in the middle of moving offices and it’s a bit messy so don’t judge, but make yourself at home!)’ 

Democrat Sen. Krysten Sinema tweeted: ‘This is outrageous, shameful, and incredibly disrespectful to the men and women keeping the U.S. Capitol safe and secure. We need it fixed and we need answers on how it happened.’ 

Congressman Madison Cawthorn posted to Instagram: ‘I just visited the soldiers who have been abandoned & insulted by our leaders. I brought them pizza and told them that they can sleep in my office. 

No soldier will ever, ever sleep on a garage floor in the US Capitol while I work in Congress Our Troops deserve better.’ 

Rep. Elise Stefanik tweeted: ‘Every member of Congress should be appalled by this despicable treatment of the men and women of the National Guard, who answered the call to protect our nation’s capital.

‘Speaker Pelosi is in charge of the Capitol complex. She must provide answers immediately.’ 

New Hampshire National Guard posted this image Wednesday with the caption: 'NH guardsmen slumber last night in a Washington, D.C. parking garage. Beginning a 36-hour security mission in support of the presidential inauguration, they staged in the garage overnight before standing security posts along the National Capital Region this morning'

New Hampshire National Guard posted this image Wednesday with the caption: ‘NH guardsmen slumber last night in a Washington, D.C. parking garage. Beginning a 36-hour security mission in support of the presidential inauguration, they staged in the garage overnight before standing security posts along the National Capital Region this morning’

Members of the National Guard play cards in the Capitol Visitors Center the day after the inauguration of President Joe Biden

Members of the National Guard play cards in the Capitol Visitors Center the day after the inauguration of President Joe Biden 

Members of the National Guard sleep in the Capitol Visitors Center Thursday. The U.S. Secret Service announced that the special security event for the inauguration officially ended at noon Thursday

Members of the National Guard sleep in the Capitol Visitors Center Thursday. The U.S. Secret Service announced that the special security event for the inauguration officially ended at noon Thursday

Thousands of Guard troops from all across the country poured into D.C. by the planeload and busload late last week, in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting

Thousands of Guard troops from all across the country poured into D.C. by the planeload and busload late last week, in response to escalating security threats and fears of more rioting

The U.S. Secret Service announced that the special security event for the inauguration officially ended at noon Thursday.

The Guard said that it may take several days to make all the arrangements to return the 15,000 home, but it should be complete in five to 10 days. 

Guard members will have to turn in equipment, make travel plans and go through COVID-19 screening.

Some local law enforcement agencies have asked for continued assistance from the Guard, so roughly 7,000 troops are expected to stay in the region through the end of the month. 

Pictures of the armed camouflage-clad troops resting on the marble floors of the Capitol building and patrolling the grounds had already been widely shared in the wake of the January 6 siege. It is believed to be the first time troops have set up camp in the Capitol since the Civil War.

Throngs of guardsmen were seen cradling their guns as they slept in the open on the floor and took turns making rounds of the Capitol grounds.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed some of the troops outside the Capitol building to thank them for their service just hours before the House of Representatives started debating impeaching President Trump for a second time. 

National Guard troops continue to be deployed around the Capitol Thursday

National Guard troops continue to be deployed around the Capitol Thursday 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk