MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers is sending 500 Wisconsin National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to support local law enforcement ahead of the inauguration.
The troops, including units from the Wisconsin Army National Guard and Wisconsin Air National Guard, will serve in a support role alongside thousands of other National Guard troops from other states. They have been mobilized into federal service, according to Evers' Office Wednesday afternoon.
“We are once again thankful to the Wisconsin National Guard for always stepping up, not only for their friends and neighbors here in Wisconsin, but wherever they are needed,” Gov. Evers said in a statement. “I'm confident these members of the Guard will assist in any way they can to help maintain peace and security in our nation's capital in the days ahead.”
The troops will arrive in the nation's capital in the coming days, Evers' Office said.
Other members of the state's National Guard were mobilized to Wisconsin's Capitol building this week.
“When our state or nation calls, the Citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the Wisconsin National Guard are always ready,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, in a statement. “Whether we’re serving overseas in a combat zone, responding to the pandemic, assisting at the polls, preserving public safety in our own communities, or helping secure our nation’s capital, our state and nation can count on our Soldiers and Airmen to be there during times of need.”
