Here's How WI National Guard Troops Are Sleeping, Resting In D.C.

WISCONSIN—Photos shared on social media Thursday of National Guardsmen laying in a parking garage in Washington D.C. caused outrage.

It was reported by multiple news outlets, including CNN, that troops were told they could no longer use space within the U.S. Capitol complex to rest but they have since been allowed to rest in the visitor center.

Patch reached out to the Wisconsin National Guard who shared how troops sent from the state are being taken care of.

According to a statement from Major Joe Trovato, the deputy director for public affairs, there are still Wisconsin National Guard troops in Washington D.C. The soldiers and airmen have been sleeping in hotels since they arrived there.

"While on duty, our troops took rest breaks every few hours and had access to warming areas in multiple buildings including the Capitol, the Library of Congress, and nearby parking structures throughout the duration of their mission. When off duty, they returned to their hotels," Trovato said.

The Wisconsin National Guard also sought to assure families in a Facebook post penned by the task force Wisconsin Commander, Lt. Col. Matt McDonald.

In the post, McDonald acknowledged the photos on the news and social media that showed service members sleeping in the Capitol. He said while off-shift, service members have their own hotel rooms and receive hot prepared meals daily.

"The safety of our Service Members is my top priority and we have taken every step we are able to mitigate risk to include transmission of COVID-19," McDonald's post said.

The National Guard enforces all CDC guidelines – daily screening, mask-wearing, handwashing, other hygiene measures and social distancing when the mission allows. McDonald said the situation is fluid and changes rapidly.

"We ask for your continued support and understanding that we must protect our Service Members by safeguarding sensitive information such as specific locations and times," his post said.

In response to the social media outrage, the US Capitol Police said they will give the National guard shortened shifts so they will not need to sleep in the Capitol Building.

Acting Chief of Capitol Police Yogananda Pittman shared the following statement:

“I want to assure everyone that, with the exception of specific times on Inauguration Day itself while the swearing-in ceremonies were underway, the United States Capitol police did not instruct the National Guard to vacate the Capitol Building facilities.

"And on Inauguration Day, the Guard was notified and encouraged to reoccupy the spaces in the Capitol and CVC at 2 p.m.

"Over the past several days, the U.S. Capitol Police has been working tirelessly with its Congressional stakeholders to identify appropriate accommodations across the entire Capitol complex for their use.

"It was brought to our attention early today that facility management with the Thurgood Marshall Judicial Office Building reached out directly to the National Guard to offer use of its facilities.

"As of this morning, all Guardsmen and women have been relocated to space within the Capitol Complex. The Department is also working with the Guard to reduce the need for sleeping accommodations by establishing shorter shifts, and will ensure they have access to the comfortable accommodations they absolutely deserve when the need arises.”