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Hundreds of New York National Guard members are traveling to Washington, DC, to assist with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday (January 20). The soldiers and airmen left Latham, New York, on Thursday (January 16) and will help manage traffic and crowds during the event. Members of the Civil Support Team will also be on alert for potential chemical, radiological, and biological threats.
The National Guard has a long history of supporting presidential inaugurations, dating back to George Washington's first inauguration. For the upcoming event, National Guard units from approximately 40 states, territories, and the District of Columbia will participate, as noted by the District of Columbia National Guard. Their duties will include crowd management, traffic control, and emergency response services.
The Secret Service is leading the planning and execution of the inauguration, with the National Guard playing a crucial support role. Some Guard members will assist the U.S. Capitol Police with their duties. The New York National Guard soldiers and airmen are expected to return home next Tuesday (January 21) and Wednesday (January 22).
