Governor Evers has authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to help support the police force at the State Capitol in preparation for any possible unrest that may occur in the next several weeks.
According to the statement from the Governor’s office, the Guard members are part of their Reaction Force, which will act in a support role to local authorities and conduct a site security mission.
“Once again, our state has asked our Citizen Soldiers in the Wisconsin National Guard to answer the call to keep our state, its citizens, and its institutions safe,” said Wisconsin’s Adjutant General, Major General Paul Knapp. “We ask a lot of our troops who must take leave from their civilian employers and their families, and I’m proud of the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to serve their fellow citizens.”
The Guard will not make public how many members will be on active duty for this.
Similar actions are being taken at statehouses across the United States. It comes following protests on January 6 by groups who support President Donald Trump and efforts to overturn the Presidential election result. This was the same day thousands of rioters breached the U.S. Capitol, disrupting Congress’ certification of the Electoral College vote.
The FBI has warned of possible armed protests at statehouses across the country, which could begin on January 17 and continue through Inauguration Day, January 20.
