(Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images)
By Curtis Brodner
(BOSTON) Gov. Charlie Baker announced Thursday that Massachusetts will send up to 500 National Guard members to Washington in order to provide extra security for the inauguration, reported WCVB 5.
On Jan. 6, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building in order to interrupt the congressional certification of the electoral college. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Capitol Police are now taking extra precautions to ensure a similar lapse in security doesn’t take place on Jan. 20, during President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
"The order makes Guard personnel available in the event that municipal leaders require assistance to maintain public safety while protecting the exercise of First Amendment rights,” said Baker’s office in a statement. “National Guard personnel are deployed only at the request of, and in coordination with, the communities seeking support.”
About 20,000 National Guard members from almost every state will be in the Capitol for the inauguration, reported NPR.