The Mississippi National Guard will have a strong presence in the nation’s capital on Monday to help secure the area for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Per a release, 200 soldiers and airmen from the 112th Military Police Battalion, the 172nd Airlift Wing, and the 186th Air Refueling Wing will deploy from Thompson Field Air National Guard Base in Flowood Friday morning and head out to Washington, D.C.
The Department of Homeland Security declared the inauguration a National Special Security Event, calling on the District of Columbia National Guard and their supporting units to assist local authorities during the inauguration, parade, and related activities.
The nature of the event poses a potential threat to the continuity of government as members of the three branches of the U.S. Government, residents of the district, and all citizens will be in attendance. Officials expect a crowd of approximately 800,000 to one million people attending the day’s events.
Mississippi’s service members will assist their D.C. colleagues’ joint task force with providing defense support of civil authorities to ensure that the National Capitol Region is safe and secure for the influx of foot traffic. Specifically, guardsmen will work alongside local and federal agencies to carry out law enforcement duties.
The inauguration will take place outside the U.S. Capitol. Trump, who was elected to serve another stint in the White House, will be sworn in at 11 a.m. CT.
