OHIO, USA — We're just over a week away from the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. However, security and safety concerns remain top of mind following last week's insurrection at the Capitol building.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has activated 580 National Guard members in preparation for what the FBI identified as massive armed protests planned to take place in Columbus and every state capital in the country leading up to Inauguration Day.
According to a statement from the Ohio National Guard, Guard members will be available "should assistance be needed by local and state law enforcement in Ohio municipalities and at the Ohio Statehouse to provide safety and protection to citizens and property while ensuring people's right to demonstrate peacefully."
An additional 200 Guard members will be deployed to Washington D.C. "to support civil authorities with security-related missions throughout the presidential inauguration," according to a release from the Ohio National Guard.
"People have the right to protest. They do not have the right to be destructive or hurt other people. We welcome peaceful protesters, but we saw what happened at the Capitol, so we are concerned," explained DeWine.
The signed order is expected to begin January 14 and continue through January 21. The presented timeline can be adjusted to meet needs sooner and/ or after the specified end date.
When asked if there was a goal in mind with deploying the National Guard and other service members, Gov. DeWine asserted that the protection of citizens is a top priority.
"The goal is peace, the goal is protection of property and protection of people, protection of people is always number one," explained Gov. DeWine.
You can watch Gov. DeWine's Tuesday briefing in the player below: