The first question is why wasn't the National Guard on site. There has been reporting on that already. The DOD issued the following directive ahead of time, which slowed the response down. I think there were actually some DC National Guard nearby on traffic duty, and on purpose not armed. On Jan. 6 they would have needed to go back to barracks to get equipment. Here is the DOD order from Secretary of Defense issued ahead of Jan. 6:
"Without my subsequent, personal authorization, the DCNG is not authorized the following:
To be issued weapons, ammunition, bayonets, batons, or ballistic protection equipment such as helmets, and body armor.
To interact physically with protestors, except when necessary in self-defense or defense of others, consistent with the DCNG Rules for the Use of Force.
To employ any riot control agents.
To share equipment with law enforcement agencies.
To use Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets or to conduct ISR or Incident, Awareness, and Assessment activities.
To employ helicopters or any other air assets.
To conduct searches, seizures, arrests, or other similar direct law enforcement activity.
To seek support from any non-DCNG National Guard units. […]
You may employ the DCNG Quick Reaction Force (QRF) only as a last resort and in response to a request from an appropriate civil authority. If the QRF is so employed, DCNG personnel will be clearly marked and/or distinguished from civilian law enforcement personnel, and you will notify me immediately upon your authorization."
The second question is why wasn't the D.C. Police already in place, and co-mingled with the Capitol Police. Not sure, and also not sure how large of a force they have. The D.C. Police who were there seemed to respond relatively quickly.
So, assuming the D.C. Police were not enough to supplement the Capitol Police, it's the DC National Guard issue. The Secretary of Defense would have to agreed to outfit and deploy them ahead of time, which did not happen. Or, the QRF would have needed to respond quickly - but there was a major holdup in deploying the QRF - I don't think this has been adequately explained.
There is actually a fascinating theory that was floated several months ago that it was on purpose that the QRF was deployed slowly. Either that or fortuitous. If QRF was onsite sooner, Trump could have re-missioned them to clear the Capitol, lawmakers included, which DOD wanted to avoid (speculation). You can search for the article.
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