Trump's January 6 Orders for Troops Rejected by Pentagon

In the days leading up to January 6, 2021, then-President Donald Trump instructed Pentagon officials to ensure the safety of the U.S. Capitol, including the potential deployment of National Guard or active-duty troops. However, top military leaders, including Gen. Mark Milley, did not follow through on these orders due to concerns over political optics and the implications of having armed forces present during a peaceful transition of power. This decision was influenced by a desire to avoid the appearance of militarization in the capital, as articulated by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and other Pentagon officials. Despite the pre-emptive requests for troop deployment from the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police, the Pentagon opted for a limited response, focusing on traffic control rather than security at the Capitol. This approach was suggested by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who sought to free up law enforcement for other duties. The reluctance to deploy troops was compounded by a political calculus that weighed the potential backlash against military involvement in civil matters. As violence erupted on January 6, the Pentagon eventually dispatched additional troops, but delays in their arrival frustrated Capitol Police. Concerns about optics continued to influence decision-making even during the crisis, as senior Department of Defense leaders hesitated to act swiftly. The situation highlighted significant dysfunction within the government and raised questions about the adequacy of security measures in place during a critical moment in American democracy. The aftermath of these events has led to ongoing investigations into the security failures of January 6, with lawmakers and watchdogs scrutinizing the decisions made by military and civilian leaders. The revelations from interviews conducted by the Defense Department's inspector general have shed light on the complex interplay of politics and security in the lead-up to the Capitol riots.