WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 Reuters - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved a request to make 100 National Guard troops available to protect the Capitol if needed, the Pentagon said on Friday ahead of a planned rally supporting people charged with taking part in the deadly Jan. 6 riot.
A Pentagon spokesman said the troops would be located in the D.C. Armory and be tapped only when local, state and federal law enforcement capabilities have been upgraded.
The task force will be deployed only at request of the Capitol Police to help protect the U.S. Capitol Building and Congressional Office buildings by manning entry points and verifying credentials of individuals seeking access to the building, said the spokesman.