Maryland National Guard guards at the US Senate. UPI=Yonhap News
U.S. military authorities are considering a way to bring weapons to security forces in connection with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
According to the Associated Press on the 8th (local time), the military authorities allowed the possession of M4 rifles or Beretta pistols on the 6th after raising concerns about the safety of security forces in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s fierce supporters invading the Washington DC Capitol. Are considering.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that sooner or later it would collect information on potential threats and decide whether to allow possession of weapons.
The plan is to identify and review the plans and scale of the Trump supporters’ protests that can be held in Washington, DC.
The authorities also plan to review restrictions on legally mobilizing military forces.
Controversy has been raised as the State National Guard was deployed in Washington, DC and federal troops were deployed in nearby areas to respond to protests triggered by the death of a black man George Floyd last year.
In a letter to President Trump at the time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pointed out the confusion caused by troop deployment and demanded that the city clarify its legal role and responsibilities for the operation of troops.
Against this backdrop, the National Guard troops in Washington DC this week did not possess weapons and were limited in number.
Secretary McCarthy said he had allowed Washington DC’s National Guard to wear bulletproof helmets after the intrusion. This measure reflects the fact that the policeman, who was injured in the head with a fire extinguisher after trying to suppress the intrusion, died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense decided to move the National Guard from five nearby states to Washington DC due to the violence of the Capitol. 6,200 national guards will be deployed to Washington, DC within a few days.
Secretary McCarthy explained that there are currently 850 National Guards working in shifts in Washington, DC.
Reporter Lee Ji-young [email protected]