(Headline USA) The Pentagon approved the deployment of 700 National Guard members to Washington, D.C., this week ahead of a planned protest convoy led by truckers.
City officials and U.S. Capitol Police officials made the request for an increased federal presence, according to the Pentagon, even though it is unclear when truckers will arrive in D.C., or whether they will enter the District at all.
One organizer of the “People’s Convoy” said the truckers just intend to block the freeways surrounding D.C. like a “boa constrictor.” He said his truckers plan to follow the example of the Canadian Freedom Convoy and shut down D.C. until government officials lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.
“I’ll give you an analogy of that of a giant boa constrictor,” Bob Bolus. “That basically squeezes you, chokes you and it swallows you, and that’s what we’re going to do D.C.”
Unsurprisingly, D.C. officials are preparing the city for another Jan. 6 Capitol riot by erecting an enormous fence around the U.S. Capitol building grounds once again and recruiting aid from the military.
“I think we need to be very candid with the public about some of the expectations based upon what we’ve seen in Ottawa,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee said.
Along with the hundreds of soldiers, the Pentagon has agreed to send over dozens of “large tactical” vehicles that law enforcement will begin posting up at strategic intersections to prevent truckers from shutting down freeways.
The National Guard will remain in the area until at least March 8, the Pentagon said.
Earlier this week, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby admitted the military was considering stepping in.
“Those agencies have asked for National Guard personnel to provide support at traffic control points in and around the District to help the USCP and D.C. government address potential challenges stemming from possible disruptions at key traffic arteries,” he said.