DC National Guard Chief: Pentagon Delayed Deployment on Jan. 6

Commanding General District of Columbia National Guard Major General William J. Walker testifies during a Senate hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 3, 2021. Shawn Thew/Pool via AP

The D.C. National Guard’s top official on Wednesday said deployment of guardsmen was delayed after the U.S. Capitol was breached on Jan. 6 because of an “unusual” memorandum that was issued a day prior.

William Walker, commanding general of the D.C. Guard, told lawmakers during a Capitol Hill hearing that then-Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Jan. 5 issued a memo barring the use of the Guard’s “Quick Reaction Force” without approval.