National Guard members snooze in Capitol as House moves to impeach Trump

By AP and ToI Staff 13 January 2021, 5:29 pm

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As the House opens its impeachment hearing, the District of Columbia National Guard says it has been authorized to arm troops assigned to security duty on the US Capitol grounds.

The Guard says in a statement that the authority was requested by federal authorities and approved by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy as of approximately 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Up to 15,000 Guard members are expected to be on duty in coming days in the district to support law enforcement in connection with the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Authorities are concerned about threats of violence, following the insurrection at the Capitol last week.

Photos emerge of the troops taking a nap inside the US Capitol ahead of the vote.