WASHINGTON –
At the request of civil authorities, including the United States Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Capitol Police, the District of Columbia National Guard along with National Guardsmen from approximately 40 other states and territories are preparing to provide support to the 60th Presidential Inauguration. With a long-standing tradition of supporting the presidential inaugurations, the National Guard plays a crucial role in balancing safety, security, and other duties during the peaceful transition of power.
The tradition of National Guard involvement in presidential inaugurations dates to the early years of the Republic. When George Washington traveled from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, local predecessors to the modern-day National Guard escorted him to the capital in New York City for the first presidential inauguration. Reflective of the DC National Guard’s unique role in presidential inaugurations, President Abraham Lincoln received his first salute from a DC Guardsman during his inauguration in 1861.
The National Guard's role in inaugurations continued through the years, including the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2008, which attracted one of the largest audiences ever gathered in Washington, D.C. During the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in 2021, more than 25,000 National Guard personnel from the District of Columbia, 50 states and three territories were employed to support the event, ensuring the smooth conduct of the ceremony and the safety of attendees.
For the upcoming inauguration, the D.C. National Guard will once again lead the support efforts, with Army and Air National Guard units from approximately 40 states and territories joining the mission. The U.S. Secret Service remains the lead for planning and execution of this domestic operation. Some National Guardsmen will support the U.S. Capitol Police and may assist USCP with their duties within U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds. These National Guardsmen will serve primarily in a support role and will be clearly distinguished from civilian law enforcement officers.
National Guard personnel assist in various critical tasks, including crowd management, traffic control, emergency response services, communication, and other functions. Additionally, the National Guard is trained and ready to support civil authorities in other capacities if needed, ensuring a coordinated and secure event for the peaceful transfer of power.
For information regarding the event and security, please send an email to the National Special Security Event Joint Information at nsse.jic@dc.gov.
For information regarding this press release and National Guard specific questions, please send an email to the DC National Guard PI60 Joint Information Center at (202) 685-9748 and ng.dc.dcarng.mbx.pao-jic@army.mil