That assertion is instantly contradicted by Sund’s congressional testimony and Matthews’ memo to the Jan. 6 committee.
Sund wished as many riot-equipped personnel as potential to get to the Capitol and assist reestablish a safety perimeter across the exterior of the constructing, in accordance with Matthews. Earlier than the assault had even began, Sund had chosen a particular location the place these troopers may meet up with the cops they might help.
“Sund knew precisely what mission he wished the DCNG personnel to carry out,” Matthews wrote.
Riot gear prepared
The Military report additionally says that members of the D.C. Guard, who had been serving to the town’s Metropolitan Police Division at Metro stations and visitors management factors, had been solely prepared to offer backup to cops.
“The [D.C. National Guard] was ready to offer the restricted help requested by [the D.C. mayor’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency] and nothing extra,” the Military report reads.
In different phrases, the Guard members weren’t prepared for what was about to occur.
But these troopers introduced riot gear with them and saved it of their automobiles, in accordance with a number of Guard officers.
“The Guardsmen who had been stationed at visitors management factors that day had civil disturbance gear that features a protect, a vest, helmet, baton, shin guards,” Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Brooks with the D.C. Guard advised POLITICO. “The management of the D.C. Nationwide Guard took it upon themselves to ensure gear was available.”
The Guard members had been absolutely skilled as nicely, Matthews mentioned.
“Guardsmen who had been already on obligation, had been skilled in civil disturbance response, already had space familiarization with Washington, DC, had been correctly kitted and had been delayed solely due to inaction and inertia on the Pentagon,” he wrote in his memo.
When requested in regards to the existence of a plan for the DC Nationwide Guard crafted on Jan. 6 by then-Military Secretary Ryan McCarthy, Military spokesperson Brady mentioned that the service’s “help was requested after the breach of the Capitol, following quite a few assertions by DC civil authorities that it could not be required.”
“Due to this fact, the Military didn’t have the chance to intentionally plan because it routinely does,” Brady continued. “As an alternative, as soon as the help of the [D.C. National Guard] was requested on the Capitol, Military leaders centered on real-time, hasty planning to get DCNG Troopers to the neighborhood of the Capitol so they might hyperlink up with civil authorities and supply help.”