Official National Guard reports and news coverage

7,800 National Guard Troops From 40 States to Wear Special Patch at Trump's Inauguration on Monday

Jan 18, 2025, 10:58 PM

National Guard leaders have authorized the use of a special shoulder patch for troops at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, featuring the Guard motto 'Always Ready, Always There.' The red, white and blue patch, which also depicts a minuteman symbol, aims to distinguish National Guard members from police, ensuring clarity for attendees at the event. Approximately 7,800 Guard troops from more than 40 states and U.S. territories will be on duty, with the troops arriving a day or two earlier to facilitate communication and coordination. The swearing-in and parade are set to take place indoors due to cold weather, but no major changes to security arrangements are expected. The National Guard's role includes crowd management, traffic control, and other security tasks, with teams prepared to respond to any chemical, biological, or explosive incidents. The Guard will also help staff 100 traffic control points and five subway stops. About 87% of the Guard troops will be Army and 13% will be Air Force, with approximately 4,000-plus soldiers dedicated to law enforcement support.