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The first 150 DC Guardsmen are expected to arrive at the US Capitol at any moment, according to a senior Defense official.
These guardsmen are part of the new Guard forces activated today.
These Guardsmen are wearing protective gear and carrying riot equipment, but they have no lethal or non-lethal weapons, the source said.
Their sole purpose right now is to back up Capitol police and to help re-establish a perimeter around the Capitol. They will stay as long as is needed, based on the conditions on the street. They are not doing any law enforcement activities – and that will also be true of the remaining Guardsmen as they are ready to head for the Capitol.
There are no plans to bring in active duty troops at this point, the official said.
The original 340 Guardsmen that were requested earlier in the week remain in their positions and on the streets and are also not armed.