Thousands of National Guard members have arrived in the nation’s capital to respond to protests over the police killing of George Floyd. That’s despite the objection of Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The Idaho National Guard has deployed hundreds of troops to the nation’s capital as part of this mission. Lt. Col. Chris Borders says the 400 Idaho guardsmen will remain in Washington unless they receive new instructions from the National Guard bureau.
He says troops will guard monuments and support the United States Park Police. The Park Police have been criticized for clearing protesters with chemical irritants to make way for a presidential photo op by a church.
Borders said local commanders will determine whether the Idaho troops carry weapons.
“The rules on the use of force vary from state to state. And they will, when they get there, receive that guidance," said Borders.
Many Americans have been horrified by violence against protesters. But Borders says he trusts Idaho Guardsmen to do the right thing.
“Civil unrest missions ... those are some of the hardest and most difficult missions that the National Guard does, but our personnel are extremely professional," said Borders.
Borders said the deployment should be for several days but could be extended.
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