Fact-Check: Claim Regarding Trump's Deployment of the D.C. National Guard on January 6, 2021
What We Know
On January 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the Electoral College results. In the days leading up to this event, President Trump reportedly offered the National Guard to assist in maintaining order. According to documents obtained by Just The News, Trump made this offer four days prior to the riot. Furthermore, transcripts released by the House Administration Committee indicate that Trump directed senior Pentagon officials to ensure safety on January 6, including the use of the National Guard.
However, there were significant delays in the actual deployment of the National Guard. On the day of the riot, the D.C. National Guard was not activated until after the Capitol had been breached, arriving approximately five hours later, which has been attributed to a lack of timely communication and decision-making within the Pentagon. Maj. Gen. William Walker, the D.C. National Guard commander, confirmed that the Department of Defense took hours to approve the deployment request, which contributed to the delay.
Analysis
The claim that Trump legally deployed the D.C. National Guard with proper authority is supported by evidence that he offered assistance and directed Pentagon officials to act. However, the effectiveness of this deployment is undermined by the substantial delays that occurred. The House Administration Committee's transcripts reveal that Trump's directives were largely ignored by Pentagon leaders, who prioritized "optics" over immediate action to protect the Capitol.
The reliability of the sources varies. Just The News, while providing documentation of Trump's offer, is often criticized for its partisan slant. The House Administration Committee's transcripts, however, come from an official government source and provide a more comprehensive view of the events and decisions made by military leadership. This contrast raises questions about the motivations behind the narratives presented by different outlets.
Moreover, the claim that Trump's intent was genuinely to secure the Capitol is subjective. While he did express a desire for safety, the delayed response and the subsequent chaos suggest that the execution of his directives was flawed. The New York Times and NPR highlight the significant delays in deploying the National Guard, framing them as a failure of leadership during a critical moment.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump legally deployed the D.C. National Guard on January 6, 2021, in response to the Capitol riot, with proper authority under the Home Rule Act, that there was a delay in deployment due to Pentagon issues, and that his intent was genuinely to secure the Capitol" is Partially True.
While it is accurate that Trump offered the National Guard and directed its use, the failure to act promptly and the subsequent chaos at the Capitol indicate that the intent was not effectively translated into action. The delays in deployment were significant and contributed to the severity of the situation, complicating the narrative of Trump's intent to secure the Capitol.
Sources
- Report Shows President Trump Offered National Guard to the Capitol
- Transcripts Show President Trump's Directives to Pentagon Leadership to "Keep January 6 Safe" Were Deliberately Ignored
- Trump takes over DC police and activates National Guard
- Trump deploys National Guard to Washington DC and declares public safety emergency
- Trump's D.C. 'crisis' enters 2nd week with more soldiers
- Trump's order to deploy troops in DC is his latest use of the National Guard
- Trump Deploys National Guard for D.C. Crime but Called Delays into Question
- D.C. National Guard Commander Recalls 3-Hour Delay In Deployment
