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Idaho National Guard activated to Washington, D.C.

by By CONNOR SWERSEY/Capitol Correspondent
| January 16, 2021 1:00 AM

The Idaho National Guard is deploying 300 soldiers and airmen to Washington, D.C. to assist during the transition of power from the Trump Administration to the Biden Administration.

After the events that unfolded Jan. 6 in our nation’s capital, with many protesters breaking into the capitol building after forcing their way through security, much of the country is on high alert.

With the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden set for Jan. 20, no one knows what might be coming. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned lawmakers, security, police, and citizens of plans for possible armed protests in all 50 state capitols on inauguration day.

Lt. Col. Christopher Borders, the public affairs officer for the Idaho National Guard, said they have not yet been requested to provide any support to the capitol in Boise on inauguration day.

“We maintain a capability to respond to multiple emergencies simultaneously whether here in Idaho, or across the country,” Borders said. “We are sending approximately 5 to 6 percent of our force to Washington, D.C. to support the inauguration.”

Borders said that will leave sufficient National Guard personnel in the state if they are called upon on Jan. 20.

“Anytime we send our personnel out, the protection of our force is always a concern,” Borders said. “We will take the normal precautions that we would anytime we mobilize around the country or the world.”

Borders said the most recent mobilization like this was when the Guard was deployed to Washington back in June.

“We are there to support the Secret Service, the lead federal agency for the inauguration,” he said. “We want to see a smooth transition of national power from one government to the next.”

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Connor Swersey is a capitol correspondent, McClure Center Legislative Intern.