National Guard on Standby as Election Day Tensions Rise Across U.S.

National Guard units from 18 states and Washington, D.C., are either on standby or activated to assure preparedness in the face of increasing concerns about unrest as Election Day approaches. According to a defense official, the primary objective of mobilizing approximately 126 Guard members in states such as Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, and Wisconsin on state orders is to provide support to local authorities if tensions escalate.

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This preparation covers Guard units from over two dozen additional states that have expressed their willingness to dispatch reinforcements to Washington, D.C., if necessary, during the post-election period and in the lead-up to Inauguration Day. Federal and local authorities are preparing for a secure environment in preparation for Congress's certification of election results in January. However, the District of Columbia has not formally requested assistance.

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On Monday, Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, the future operations head for the National Guard Bureau, clarified that the precise number of troops that may be deployed will be contingent upon D.C.'s specific requests and intelligence assessments. "We’re here to support D.C. with sustainment, lodging, transportation—whatever is necessary for this mission," he stated. The response to the 2021 inauguration was, in an unprecedented way, large, even though National Guard members are typically deployed for inaugurations. This was a result of the disturbance that broke out on January 6.

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Former President Donald Trump continues to issue unverified allegations of election fraud, cautioning his supporters that prospective losses could only be the result of deception. Consequently, security concerns remain elevated. 

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The Guard's preparations are part of a broader initiative to safeguard the capital and prevent disruptions that could disrupt the election process.

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