DC seeks security boost and eyes National Guard authority
Ashraf Khalil, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Last week’s mob attack on the U.S. Capitol starkly highlighted a longstanding local security paradox: The District of Columbia government lacks authority over much of the area within its borders.
When violent backers of President Donald Trump overran the undermanned and under-prepared Capitol Police around 1 p.m. on Jan. 6, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser lacked the authority to call in reinforcements from the D.C. National Guard. That’s a responsibility given to governors, not mayors.
And as the nation’s capital, large swaths of the land and property within the District’s borders fall under the jurisdiction of federal agencies like the Capitol Police, Supreme Court Police, Secret Service and Park Police, not local officials or police.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/01/12/dc-seeks-security-boost-and-eyes-national-guard-authority/
