Thousands of National Guard troops to remain in DC for Trump impeachment trial

With the House set to deliver articles of impeachment against former President Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday, law enforcement officials have said that as many as 5,000 National Guard troops will remain in the capital for the duration of the trial.

Trump's second impeachment trial will begin in mid-February after a period of time allotted for prosecutors and the defense to draft their legal briefs, during which time the Senate will address other business, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday. During this time, as many as 7,000 National Guard troops will remain in the district. The presence will continue to draw down to about 5,000 by mid-March.

The troops will "continue supporting federal law enforcement agencies" with "security, communications, medical evacuation, logistics, and safety," a National Guard spokesperson said.

"We are here at the request of several federal agencies and will remain as long as needed," a National Guard spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
After pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol in an attack that left five people dead, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser extended a public emergency directive until the day after President Biden's inauguration. As many as 25,000 troops were deployed to the capital on the day Biden was sworn in, as both the Secret Service and the FBI issued separate warnings of potential armed protests and "domestic violent extremists."