COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine has once again activated the Ohio National Guard "to assist with enduring security needs in the Washington D.C. area."
About 150 soldiers from Toledo's 323rd Military Police Company will be headed to our nation's capital, a far cry from the roughly 1,000 who were there during the inauguration of President Joe Biden. The group will "enforce security, protect lives, and preserve critical infrastructure."
Ohio and multiple other states sent National Guard members to D.C. in recent weeks due to security concerns following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that left five people (including a police officer) dead. Ongoing threats against Biden and other members of the government prompted a massive law enforcement mobilization, but the swearing in of the new president went off without any direct danger.
RELATED: 2 Ohio National Guard soldiers flagged by FBI, removed from duty at President Biden's inauguration
DeWine welcomed the soldiers back to Ohio on Monday, and also ended the mission for roughly 500 more members stationed in Columbus due to similar security concerns. However, the operation in Washington is expected to continue into mid-March, although Ohio and other states will be sending in a much-reduced force.
"I want to thank every Citizen-Soldier and Citizen-Airman who provided a service to their fellow Americans," the governor said in a statement. "Their presence and professionalism helped support a peaceful transition of power and provided a safe environment for people to peacefully express their opinions."
