Politically Unstable: Uncovering the Army secretary’s Jan. 6 delay of National Guard troops

On Jan. 5, 2021, the secretary of the Army, who was in charge of the DC National Guard, issued a memo expressly prohibiting D.C. National Guard Commanding Gen. William Walker from deploying National Guard forces — including the Quick Reaction Force — to the U.S. Capitol without the secretary of the Army’s explicit approval. This prohibition was unprecedented.

On Jan. 6, 2021, the Capitol perimeter was breached at 12:53 p.m. But the Guard forces didn’t arrive for over five hours. During this time, the U.S. Capitol Police were overrun, and people died.

What happened? Why the delay?  What can Congress do to ensure this never happens again? 

Washington Times Commentary Editor Kelly Sadler gets all the answers from Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Chairman of the House Administration Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee, on this week’s Politically Unstable.