Wisconsin governor mobilizes National Guard troops to aid Washington, DC ahead of presidential inauguration

On Wednesday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced that about 500 Wisconsin National Guard troops will mobilize to federal duty to support civil authorities in the national Capitol region in advance of the presidential inauguration next week.

"We are once again thankful to the Wisconsin National Guard for always stepping up, not only for their friends and neighbors here in Wisconsin, but wherever they are needed," Evers said. "I’m confident these members of the Guard will assist in any way they can to help maintain peace and security in our nation’s capital in the days ahead."

The troops, which include soldiers from various Wisconsin Army National Guard units, as well as Airmen from Wisconsin Air National Guard units, will serve in a support role alongside thousands of other National Guard troops from other states mobilized this week to support security efforts in Washington, D.C.

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Those troops are expected to arrive there in the coming days.

"When our state or nation calls, the Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Wisconsin National Guard are always ready," Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, said. "Whether we’re serving overseas in a combat zone, responding to the pandemic, assisting at the polls, preserving public safety in our own communities, or helping secure our nation’s capital, our state and nation can count on our Soldiers and Airmen to be there during times of need."

Additional Wisconsin National Guard troops will be mobilized this week to support safety and security efforts at the state capitol building in Madison, Wis.