National Guard Deploys 8000 Troops for HISTORIC 60th Presidential Inauguration!

National Guard to Support Presidential Inauguration.
WASHINGTON - Thousands of National Guard members from approximately 40 states, territories and the District of Columbia will support the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the request of the Secret Service, U.S. Capitol and Metropolitan Police.

With a longstanding tradition of supporting presidential inaugurations, the National Guard plays a crucial role in balancing safety, security and other duties during the peaceful transition of power.

National Guard involvement in presidential inaugurations dates to the Republic’s early years. When George Washington traveled from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, local predecessors to the modern-day National Guard escorted him to the capital in New York City for the first presidential inauguration. Reflective of the D.C. National Guard’s unique role in presidential inaugurations, President Abraham Lincoln received his first salute from a D.C. Guardsman during his inauguration in 1861.

The National Guard’s role in inaugurations continued through the years, including the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2008, which attracted one of the largest audiences ever gathered in Washington. During the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in 2021, more than 25,000 National Guard personnel from the District of Columbia, 50 states and three territories supported the event, ensuring the smooth conduct of the ceremony and the safety of attendees.

For the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the D.C. National Guard will once again lead support efforts, with Army and Air National Guard units from some 40 states and territories joining the mission.

“I consider it an honor to be able to do this,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph English, one of about 100 Oklahoma National Guard members who will be supporting the presidential inauguration. “It’s not every day that somebody gets to go to an inauguration and be a part of what’s going on, not just an attendee or somebody watching.”

Iowa Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Dylan Hinds was with eight clinicians from Iowa’s 185th Air Refueling Wing who departed from the Sioux City airport Wednesday en route to the nation’s capital to provide medical care for Guard members temporally stationed in Washington for the inauguration.

“Anybody that gets sick, flu or any minor injuries, we will be taking care of that,” Hinds said.

The Secret Service remains the lead for the planning and execution of this domestic operation. Some National Guard members will support the U.S. Capitol Police and may assist with their duties in U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds. These National Guard members will serve primarily in a support role and will be clearly distinguished from civilian law enforcement officers.

National Guard personnel assist in various critical tasks, including crowd management, traffic control, emergency response services, communication and other functions. Additionally, the National Guard is trained and ready to support civil authorities in other capacities if needed, ensuring a coordinated and secure event for the peaceful transfer of power.

Vincent De Groot of the Iowa Air National Guard and Leanna Maschino of the Oklahoma National Guard contributed.
By District of Columbia National Guard

Join this channel to get access to perks:
   / @defensenow  

Defense Now | January 2025.
   • DN January 2025  

Members-only videos
   • Members-only videos  

National Guard helps with 60th Presidential Inauguration
UNITED STATES
01.17.2025

Soldiers and Airmen with the Tennessee National Guard depart in C-17s, assigned to the 164th Air Refueling Wing, at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site, Jan. 17, 2025. Guardsmen from several states are traveling to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 60th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. National Guard video by Sgt. Olivia Gum)

B-Roll: Idaho National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Arrive at Joint Base Andrews to Support 60th Presidential Inauguration
MARYLAND, UNITED STATES
01.17.2025

Soldiers and Airmen from the Idaho National Guard arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Md., to support the upcoming 60th Presidential Inauguration as part of Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC), Jan. 17, 2025. Approximately 8,000 National Guard service members from approximately 40 states and territories comprise JTF-DC to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration(U.S. Air National Guard video by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Enriquez)

Film Credits: Video by Sgt. Olivia Gum | Tech. Sgt. Andrew Enriquez
Tennessee National Guard Joint Public Affairs Office | 60th Presidential Inauguration Joint Information Center