Iran Press/America: The National Guard has put military police units on standby in Alabama and Arizona to respond to any potential civil unrest following violent protests across the country this summer, Pentagon officials confirmed Wednesday.
“The forces in Alabama would respond in the eastern half of the country, and those in Arizona would respond in the west,” National Guard Bureau spokesman said.
A military official who spoke to The Hill on the condition of anonymity would not say whether the units were put in place in response to possible violence and civil unrest after the presidential election.
Instead, the official stressed that the units were set up as part of “standard procedure” if state governors requested support and that they would not deploy unless a governor asked for assistance.
“National Guard support of elections is not a new concept,” the official added. “If [governors] request assistance, they will be able to contact the National Guard to support the police while the police are the front lines.”
The move comes after a summer of protests sparked by the police' killing of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, with the National Guard deploying to various states and cities to handle demonstrations that turned violent.
Now US National Guard has equipped with new protective equipment and increased troop training on proper procedures in dealing with protests for possible election unrest.
National Guard service members have previously been deployed in the US to help with natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, and to quell civil unrest.
News protective measures have taken while the latest polling average puts Biden ahead of Trump nationally. If the election were held today, the latest polls would suggest this outcome in the electoral college.
After the vice-presidential debate Wednesday night, About 6 in 10 (59%) of American people said that democratic nominee Harris won, while 38% said Vice President Mike Pence had the better night.
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