‘Garage held’ can be great for classic cars – but for National Guard members it can be disrespectful.
Reports of the sloppy treatment of National Guard troops at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday sparked a twofold outrage among lawmakers and other officials – with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calling for the return of his state guard members.
Thousands of National Guard troops from various states deployed to the U.S. Capitol to protect President Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday from threats of violence following the January 6 riots.
Photos of members of the Guard sleeping on the marble floors of the Capitol quickly went viral – until they were later given beds. Then on Thursday came another insult: according to reports, the Guard members were suddenly told to take their rest time inside a parking garage instead of in the Capitol.
The guards, who rested between 12-hour shifts in the Capitol, were moved to a nearby parking garage where photos obtained by Politico and other shops show members huddled together on the ground – some resting their heads against cement pillars.
By Thursday night, Abbott was among those who had apparently seen enough.
“I have instructed General Norris to order the return of the Texas National Guard to our state,” the Republican governor wrote on Twitter, referring to Major General Tracy Norris of the Texas National Guard.
Abbott had earlier objected to reports that members of the Guard were being “checked” over concerns about a possible ‘inside’ attack during the inauguration in Biden.
More outrage came earlier Thursday from other lawmakers and officials, both Republicans and Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., tweeted about the parking garage reports: “If this is true, it’s outrageous. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
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U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., tweeted, “This is absolutely unacceptable and contemptuous treatment of our brave and dedicated national guard who answered the call to serve. We must demand answers now and this must be rectified immediately.”
Senator Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Called the treatment of Guard members “outrageous, shameful and incredibly disrespectful.”
“We need to fix it and we need answers on how it happened,” she tweeted.
Cinema was one of several lawmakers who presented the office of her office to the Watchmen and around 10:30 p.m. ET she tweeted that the members were all welcomed into the Capitol tonight. No more parking garages.
CBS reporter Kris Van Cleave reported early Friday that the national guard said the troops were out of the garage and would henceforth break into Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. He included a video of the troops leaving the garage.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Confirmed that she had already made several calls and that Capitol police had apologized to the guards and that they may re-enter the complex tonight. I will continue to make sure they are. ‘
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who also hosted her office, confirmed that the guards may be allowed back into the Capitol and said an offer of snacks ‘still stands’.
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One Guardsman told Politico that on the day of the inauguration, dozens of lawmakers took photos with them, shook their hands and thanked them for their service. He added: “Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed.”
Politico reported that the unit that used space in the Dirksen Senate office building was asked by the Capitol police to move to the garage.
“After much shouting, it looks like there is currently movement to get Guard members back inside the Capitol in the visitor center,” tweeted Politico reporter Natasha Bertrand.
Politico reporter Lara Seligman said a Guard source told her “all units at the Thurgood Marshall car park are ordered to move to the CVC immediately.”
The U.S. Capitol Police released a statement on the report, saying: “The U.S. Capitol Police appreciate the integral support of the U.S. National Guard in helping to secure the Capitol complex before and after the inauguration ceremony. The department is grateful for their service and our strong partnership during this time. ‘
It continued: ‘The department’s request for assistance from the National Guard included a specific number of staff to enable the National Guard to provide the troops with at least 12 hours of rest outside campus, and understood that it would be carried out throughout their deployment. Recently, the Department requested that the troops’ schedules be changed so that they do not work more than 8 hours of shifts to allow more rest time after the inauguration of the campus. “
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The guards use the garage only for breaks between their long shifts and recently had hotel rooms to sleep at night, Van Cleave said. tweeted.
A National Guard spokesman told Politico: “As Congress is in session and more foot traffic and business is being done, Capitol police have asked the troops to relocate. They are temporarily at the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Center. “Garage relocates with heat and toilet facilities. We remain a mobile and flexible force to provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and its surrounding areas. The guard is reviewing the request so that logistics and schedules can be adjusted.”
The national guard did not immediately respond to a request from Fox News for comment.