Gov. John Carney on Friday signed Executive Order #47, activating the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local authorities with activity around the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
The state had already okayed the deployment of 200 Guard members to Washington, D.C. to assist with security related to the inauguration of Joe Biden as president. The deployment came after the storming of the Capitol Building after a rally where speakers including President Donald Trump claimed without evidence that the election was stolen.
On Friday night, members of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 1049th Transportation Company assembled their equipment and vehicles in for a convoy of 46 tactical vehicles headed to the National Capitol Region from Seaford. (See accompanying photo).
Arrests have been made, including a father and son from Laurel.
Security has been stepped up throughout the nation with Homeland Security officials and the FBI warning that groups might target all state capitols, including Dover’s Legislative Hall, which is now surrounded by fencing.
Due to security concerns Biden will not take a ceremonial Amtrak trip to Washington, DC before taking the oath of office.
According to the order, the Guard may take proactive or responsive action at the direction of the Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), in consultation with the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS).
The order is effective immediately and will expire on January 22, 2021.
“Members of the Delaware National Guard have continued to step up – time and time again – to support their communities when that support is needed most. This time is no different,” said Carney. “I want to thank all of our Delaware guardsmen and guardswomen for their selfless service to our state and country.”
