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January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol Attack Response

The response to the January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack, including the deployment of the D.C. National Guard and the role of the Department of Defense.

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Jan 18, 2026

How did Department of Defense policies and approval processes affect deployment of the National Guard on Jan. 6, 2021?

Department of Defense policies and approval procedures — notably pre‑Jan. 6 memos and a centralized chain of command for the unique D.C. National Guard — shaped both what forces were authorized and ho...

Jan 7, 2026

What role did the Pentagon play in the delay of National Guard deployment on January 6 2021?

The Pentagon imposed procedural constraints and layered approval requirements that slowed the D.C. National Guard’s ability to move immediately when the U.S. Capitol was under attack on January 6, 202...