More National Guard Soldiers Head to D.C. and Prepare to Carry Weapons [View all]

[LiberalArkie]

More National Guard troops are heading soon to Washington, D.C., and they are preparing to start carrying weapons in the coming days, officials say, a major shift that comes days after President Trump said he was deploying them to “take back” the capital from what he described as violent criminals.

Defense officials previously had said the 800 National Guard soldiers deployed wouldn’t be armed, unlike many federal law-enforcement agents sent to the capital. They also weren’t to have weapons in their vehicles. “Weapons are available if needed but will remain in the armory,” the U.S. Army said in a press release Thursday.

Late Friday, some Guard members deployed to Washington were told to expect an order to carry weapons, according to people familiar with the planning. As of Saturday morning, however, no formal order had been given, a Defense Department official said.

Three states said they were sending National Guard troops to Washington at the request of the Trump administration. West Virginia will send 300 to 400 troops, South Carolina plans to send 200 and Ohio is set to deliver 150, the states’ governors, all Republicans, said Saturday.

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/national-guard-soldiers-prepare-to-carry-weapons-in-washington-dc/ar-AA1KE91z