The Department of Defense's Timeline of the January 6th Attack on the Capitol

by the United States Department of Defense

This timeline is intended to memorialize the planning and execution efforts of the Department of Defense to address the Violent Attack at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The timeline is as follows:

Thursday, December 31, 2020 (New Year’s Eve)

• Mayor Muriel Bowser and Dr. Christopher Rodriguez, D.C. Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, deliver a written request for D.C. National Guard (DCNG) support to D.C. Metro Police Department (MPD) and Fire and Emergency Service.

Saturday, January 2, 2021

• The Acting Secretary of Defense (A/SD) confers with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Secretary of the Army (SECARMY) on the Mayor’s written request.

Sunday, January 3, 2021

• DoD confirms with U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) that there is no request for DoD support.
• A/SD meets with select Cabinet Members to discuss DoD support to law enforcement agencies and potential requirements for DoD support.
• A/SD and CJCS meet with the President. President concurs in activation of the DCNG to support law enforcement.

Monday, January 4, 2021

• USCP confirms there is no requirement for DoD support in a phone call with SECARMY.
• The A/SD, in consultation with CJCS, SECARMY, and DoD General Counsel (GC), reviews the Department’s plan to be prepared to provide support to civil authorities, if asked, and approves activation of 340 members of the DCNG to support Mayor Bowser’s request.

• Support provided in response to Mayor Bowser’s request includes support at:

• Traffic Control Points: 90 personnel (180 total/2 shifts); Metro station support: 24 personnel (48 total/2 shifts); Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team: 20 personnel; and Internal Command and Control: 52 personnel.

• A/SD also authorizes SECARMY to deploy a Quick Reaction Force (40 personnel staged at Joint Base Andrews) if additional support is requested by civil authorities.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

• Mayor Bowser delivers a letter addressed to the Acting Attorney General, A/SD, and SECARMY confirming that there are no additional support requirements from the D.C.
• 255 DCNG arrive in D.C. and begin to manage traffic control points alongside local law enforcement.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

0830: A/SD and CJCS review DoD plan to support law enforcement agencies and request an exercise regarding DoD contingency response options.

1130: A/SD participates in table-top exercise regarding DoD contingency response options.

1305: A/SD receives open source reports of demonstrator movements to U.S. Capitol.

1326: USCP orders evacuation of Capitol complex.

1334: SECARMY phone call with Mayor Bowser in which Mayor Bowser communicates request for unspecified number of additional forces.

1349: Commanding General, DCNG, Walker phone call with USCP Chief Sund. Chief Sund communicates request for immediate assistance.

1422: SECARMY phone call with D.C. Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Dr. Rodriguez, and MPD leadership to discuss the current situation and to request additional DCNG support.

1430: A/SD, CJCS, and SECARMY meet to discuss USCP and Mayor Bowser’s requests.

1500: A/SD determines all available forces of the DCNG are required to reinforce MPD and USCP positions to support efforts to reestablish security of the Capitol complex.

1500: SECARMY directs DCNG to prepare available Guardsmen to move from the armory to the Capitol complex, while seeking formal approval from A/SD for deployment. DCNG prepares to move 150 personnel to support USCP, pending A/SD’s approval.

1504: A/SD, with advice from CJCS, DoD GC, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB), SECARMY, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, provides verbal approval of the full activation of DCNG (1100 total) in support of the MPD. Immediately upon A/SD approval, Secretary McCarthy directs DCNG to initiate movement and full mobilization.

In response, DCNG redeployed all soldiers from positions at Metro stations and all available non-support and non-C2 personnel to support MPD. DCNG begins full mobilization.

1519: SECARMY phone call with Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi about the nature of Mayor Bowser’s request. SECARMY explains A/SD already approved full DCNG mobilization.

1526: SECARMY phone call with Mayor Bowser and MPD police chief relays there was no denial of their request, and conveys A/SD approval of the activation of full DCNG.

1546: CNGB phone call with the Adjutant General (TAG) of Virginia to discuss support in Washington D.C. TAG said Governor had ordered mobilization of forces at 1532.

1548: SECARMY departs Pentagon for MPD HQ.

1555: CNGB phone call with TAG of Maryland to discuss support in Washington D.C. TAG said governor ordered the mobilization of the rapid response force. TAG reports Governor had ordered mobilization of the rapid response force at 1547.

1610: SECARMY arrives at MPD HQ.

1618: A/SD, CJCS, SECARMY, and CNGB discuss availability of National Guard (NG) forces from other States in the region. A/SD gives voice approval for out-of-State NG forces to muster and to be prepared to deploy to D.C.

1632: A/SD provides verbal authorization to re-mission DCNG to conduct perimeter and clearance operations in support of USCP. SECARMY to provide public notification of support.

1640: SECARMY phone call with Governor of Maryland. Governor to send Maryland NG troops to D.C., expected to arrive on January 7, 2021.

1702: Departure of 154 DCNG from D.C. Armory in support of USCP. Arrive at Capitol at 1740, swear in with USCP, and begin support operations.

1745: A/SD signs formal authorization for out-of-State NG to muster and gives voice approval for deployment in support of USCP.

1814: USCP, MPD, and DCNG successfully establish perimeter on the west side of the U.S. Capitol.

1936: A/SD provides vocal approval to lease fences in support of the USCP for security of the Capitol building.

2000: USCP declares Capitol building secure.

Note: This document has been updated to more appropriately reflect the characterization of events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.