National Guard members camping in a cold parking garage is something one might see in a third world country --- but it happened in Washington, D.C. where 26,000 Guard members from around the country were deployed to help inauguration activities, notes Grumpy Editor.
The National Guard said it moved troops from the Capitol building and other spaces for rest breaks to the garage at the behest of Capitol Police. It was a crowded scene.
Following settling in the garage, it later was announced that nearly 200 Guard members in the Capitol tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Lawmakers from both political parties, noting reports of the undesirable garage rest area (without cots), intervened, allowing Guard members to return to indoor spaces.
Capitol Police and National Guard officials offered conflicting explanations on why troops were moved to the parking garage.
Most called-up National Guard soldiers hold full-time civilian jobs.
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