#Cuomo deploys 1,000 NY National Guard to DC

ALBANY — New York will deploy 1,000 members of the state’s National Guards to Washington, D.C. in the aftermath of Wednesday’s US Capitol riot.

“At the request of United States National Guard officials, I am deploying 1,000 members of the New York National Guard to Washington, D.C. for up to two weeks to aid and facilitate the peaceful transition of presidential power,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday evening.

“This deployment will not impact our state’s ongoing efforts to contain and combat the COVID virus. For 244 years, the cornerstone of our democracy has been the peaceful transfer of power, and New York stands ready to help ensure the will of the American people is carried out, safely and decisively. God bless our brave men and women in uniform, and God bless the United States of America.”

The National Guard was deployed earlier in the afternoon as well, after members of Congress were forced to evacuate when an angry mob of supporters of President Trump overwhelmed Capitol Police, storming the building and leaving at least one woman dead after she was shot. 

Other states including Maryland and Virginia also deployed guardsmen to D.C., and New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy also announced he was sending members of the state police as well.