WASHINGTON - Thousands of National Guard members from approximately 40 states, territories and the District of Columbia will support the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the request of the Secret Service, U.S. Capitol and Metropolitan Police.
With a longstanding tradition of supporting presidential inaugurations, the National Guard plays a crucial role in balancing safety, security and other duties during the peaceful transition of power.
National Guard involvement in presidential inaugurations dates to the Republic’s early years. When George Washington traveled from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, local predecessors to the modern-day National Guard escorted him to the capital in New York City for the first presidential inauguration. Reflective of the D.C. National Guard’s unique role in presidential inaugurations, President Abraham Lincoln received his first salute from a D.C. Guardsman during his inauguration in 1861.
The National Guard’s role in inaugurations continued through the years, including the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2008, which attracted one of the largest audiences ever gathered in Washington. During the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in 2021, more than 25,000 National Guard personnel from the District of Columbia, 50 states and three territories supported the event, ensuring the smooth conduct of the ceremony and the safety of attendees.
For the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the D.C. National Guard will once again lead support efforts, with Army and Air National Guard units from some 40 states and territories joining the mission.
“I consider it an honor to be able to do this,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph English, one of about 100 Oklahoma National Guard members who will be supporting the presidential inauguration. “It’s not every day that somebody gets to go to an inauguration and be a part of what’s going on, not just an attendee or somebody watching.”
Iowa Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Dylan Hinds was with eight clinicians from Iowa’s 185th Air Refueling Wing who departed from the Sioux City airport Wednesday en route to the nation’s capital to provide medical care for Guard members temporally stationed in Washington for the inauguration.
“Anybody that gets sick, flu or any minor injuries, we will be taking care of that,” Hinds said.
The Secret Service remains the lead for the planning and execution of this domestic operation. Some National Guard members will support the U.S. Capitol Police and may assist with their duties in U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds. These National Guard members will serve primarily in a support role and will be clearly distinguished from civilian law enforcement officers.
National Guard personnel assist in various critical tasks, including crowd management, traffic control, emergency response services, communication and other functions. Additionally, the National Guard is trained and ready to support civil authorities in other capacities if needed, ensuring a coordinated and secure event for the peaceful transfer of power.
Vincent De Groot of the Iowa Air National Guard and Leanna Maschino of the Oklahoma National Guard contributed.