FL Governor Orders National Guard Home From D.C. Deployment

FLORIDA — After seeing images of Florida National Guardsmen huddling for warmth while sleeping in parking garages in near-freezing weather, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered his troops back home.

In the aftermath of the breach of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 that left five people dead, more than 25,600 national guardsmen from around the country were deployed to Washington, D.C., to restore and keep peace until the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Joe Biden.

However, following the inauguration, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard, Hokanson announced Thursday that about 15,000 Air and Army National Guard troops would begin returning to their home states this weekend but asked for 7,000 volunteers to remain in Washington, D.C., through the end of January and possibly until March 12 to maintain order.

“Upon completion of the inauguration, we will continue to support federal law enforcement as requested. Our guard members will return home as soon as conditions permit,” said Hokanson.

Hokanson didn't say who requested the National Guard remain at the Capitol.

But DeSantis was quick to point a finger at the speaker of the house, stating that the guardsmen aren't "Nancy Pelosi's servants." He ordered all 600 Florida National Guard members home.

DeSantis said he was especially concerned after members of the National Guard posted photos on social media sites, saying they were told to vacate the U.S. Capitol and nearby congressional buildings after Thursday's inauguration and take their breaks in nearby parking garages.

The photos showed guardsmen sleeping in parking garages in near-freezing temperatures.

"Last night, I ordered our adjutant general to bring Florida National Guard soldiers home from the national capital region," DeSantis said Friday.

“This is unacceptable,” U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, commented on Twitter after seeing the photos of guardsmen huddled to stay warm. "These men and women are serving our nation and should be treated with the respect they deserve. I have directed my team to help in any way we can, including offering our office space in D.C., to support these brave individuals in their mission.”

On Friday, the National Guard issued a news release saying guardsmen remaining in the U.S. capital will be housed in hotels.

"The United States Capitol Police and the National Guard have coordinated their efforts to ensure that National Guardsmen and women are stationed throughout the Capitol Complex, including the U.S. Capitol, where they may take on-duty breaks. Off-duty troops are being housed in hotel rooms or other comfortable accommodations," said the release.