Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday (January 13) that he will deploy around 550 members of the North Carolina National Guard to assist with both state and federal security needs.
Starting this weekend, approximately 350 Guardsmen will stay in North Carolina to provide support to state and local authorities, maintain the well-being of residents and property, and protect citizens' right to peacefully assemble and protest, the governor's office said in a news release.
"Ongoing security concerns in Washington, DC, and state capitals around the nation following last week's attack on the US Capitol must be taken seriously, and I will deploy necessary resources to keep North Carolinians safe," said Gov. Cooper. "I have spoken with state and federal authorities and thank the men and women of the North Carolina National Guard for their continued service to our state and nation."
North Carolina will also send 200 Guardsmen to the nation's capital for about a week, at the request of federal authorities, to assist before and during the Presidential Inauguration on Wednesday (January 20). The governor's office said the decision was based on "threats of significant large-scale protests" in the area, following a violent protest at the U.S. Capitol last week that left five dead and hundreds facing arrest.
The North Carolina Guard will join other personnel from around the country to provide support for Washington DC and Capitol authorities.
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