RICHMOND - Governor Northam sent the Virginia National Guard and State Troopers to assist in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
Protesters supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to formally count the electors that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20. This incident has caused Congress to go into lock down as Vice President Pence and other lawmakers were quickly evacuated from the House and Senate chambers.
Northam said he was working alongside D.C. Mayor Bowser, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Schumer to respond to the protests at the nation's capitol. The governor sent members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers, per the mayor's request.
On Thursday Northam announced that he is extending the Virginia's National Guard deployment at least through Jan. 20.
He said the decision was based on conversations with emergency teams and police who are also remaining on the ground. Northam said they will be there until President-Elect Biden is officially sworn in.
My team and I are working closely with @MayorBowser, @SpeakerPelosi, and @SenSchumer to respond to the situation in Washington, D.C.
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 6, 2021
Per the Mayor's request, I am sending members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers.
.@GovernorVA has approved Virginia National Guard support to law enforcement to Washington, D.C. For operational security reasons, we will not release details on the number of personnel, staging locations or timelines.
— Va. National Guard (@VaNationalGuard) January 6, 2021
The mayor of Washington, D.C., has ordered a curfew in the nation’s capital beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The order extends through 6 a.m. Thursday.
