The US Army advocated not to reinforce security before the assault on the Capitol

The Army of U.S advocated that the National Guard, a military body in the reserve, not be sent to reinforce the security of the Capitol before the assault on January 6, the newspaper reported on Tuesday The Washington Post. During that event, at least five people were killed, including a member of the police.

The newspaper, which cites a draft of an internal circular, notes that the Army maintained that soldiers were not needed to assist police in managing traffic and crowds, as had been requested by the District of Columbia authorities in light of the prospect that more than 100,000 protesters will gather that day.

On January 6, thousands of followers of the former president of the United States Donald Trump (2017-2021) gathered in Washington DC in a rally that led to the assault on the seat of Congress when a joint session of the two houses was held to ratify the victory of the Democrat Joe Biden in the November elections.

In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, supporters of President Donald Trump march toward the Capitol holding flags during a rally in Washington. (Globe Live Media Photo / Carolyn Kaster, file) (Carolyn Kaster /)

The Army document mentioned by The Washington Post defends that the District of Columbia’s request should be denied because no federal department had identified itself to carry out the day’s preparations and operations; The resources of other agencies had not been exhausted, and that the police forces were better prepared to carry out the task.

Four people familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that the Army leadership made its position clear in talks at the Pentagon the weekend before the assault.

The Army ultimately relented after being pressured by then-outgoing Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller and Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and realizing that those responsible for the District of Columbia were not going to turn to the Department. of Justice, as the Army itself had suggested.

Army spokeswoman Col. Cathy Wilkinson said in a statement that the Pentagon sent 340 members of the National Guard to help with street closures and crowd control.

“Clearly, the request of the Mayor (of the District of Columbia) was approved and supported. The draft circular was neither signed nor approved. It is customary for Army personnel to provide options to Army leaders to inform them of the decision-making process.Wilkinson said.

The response of the Army commanders before and during the assault is being questioned by legislators, who have accused the Department of Defense of having reacted too slowly to requests from the Capitol Police, who on January 6 spent eleven hours demanding military reinforcements.