Pentagon Approves Deployment of National Guard Troops for DC Trucker Convoy Protest

A trucker sits in his cab as truck drivers and supporters gather one day before "The People’s Convoy" departs for Washington to protest COVID-19 mandates, in Adelanto, Calif., on Feb. 22, 2022. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Hundreds of National Guard troops will be deployed in Washington to help police deal with traffic issues related to the trucker convoy protests against pandemic restrictions that are set to start this week, officials have said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment, which had been requested by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), Pentagon officials said.