A Shift In Military Focus: More Boots On The Ground In The Capital Than Overseas

In January 2021, the US military deployed more troops in Washington, DC, than in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. 20,000 National Guard troops were deployed in DC to prevent violence during President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, while Afghanistan and Iraq had about 5,000 troops on the ground. This decision came after the Capitol Hill insurrection on January 6, 2021, when thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol.

The number of troops in DC for Biden's inauguration

The number of troops in Washington, D.C., for President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021, was unprecedented. Up to 25,000 National Guard troops were deployed to the nation's capital—more than four times the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. This was in response to the deadly January 6 Capitol riot and ongoing threats of domestic terrorism.

The military security force was more than three times the total number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. The increased presence in D.C. reflected heightened concerns after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol while lawmakers were certifying his election loss.

The National Guard Bureau Chief, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, said, "Our National Guard soldiers and airmen are set around the city to protect our nation's capital." He also noted the long history of the National Guard's involvement in inaugurations, dating back to George Washington's.

The troops came from various states, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Maine, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Vermont, and more.

The massive security presence aimed to prevent violence and ensure a peaceful transfer of power. It included armed troops, metal detectors, eight-foot-high metal walls, and miles of metal fencing. The National Mall was closed to the public, and people needed proof of essential purpose to travel through the secured perimeter.

The number of troops in Afghanistan

By the end of 2001, the US force grew to 2,500 troops, and in March 2002, 7,200 US troops were in the country. In December 2002, that number rose to 9,700, and in December 2003, there were about 13,100 troops in Afghanistan.

In April 2004, the number swelled to 20,300 as the US built up forces along the Afghan-Pakistani border. In December 2006, the force in Afghanistan rose to just over 20,000, and in December 2007, it increased to 25,000.

In May 2009, as fighting in Afghanistan intensified, the number of US troops surpassed 50,000, and by December 2009, there were more than 67,000 troops in the country. In August 2010, the US force reached 100,000.

In June 2011, President Obama announced his withdrawal plan, aiming to bring home 10,000 troops by the end of 2011 and continue withdrawing at a steady pace. In September 2012, troop levels dropped to 77,000, and in December 2013, there were 46,000 troops remaining.

In March 2014, Obama announced a timetable for the withdrawal of most US forces in Afghanistan by the end of his second term in 2016. In March 2015, troops declined to about 9,800, and in October 2015, Obama announced plans to keep the force at that level through most of 2016.

In July 2016, Obama revised his withdrawal plan, stating that he would maintain a force of about 8,400 troops through the end of his term in January 2017. In September 2017, the Trump administration began deploying more than 3,000 additional troops, bringing the total number of US forces in Afghanistan to more than 14,000.

In October 2019, US forces were reduced to 13,000, and in February 2020, the Trump administration and the Taliban signed a deal stipulating fighting restrictions and providing for the withdrawal of all NATO forces by May 1, 2021. In April 2021, Biden announced that the US would complete its withdrawal by September 11, 2021, and in August 2021, the US Armed Forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking the end of the 2001-2021 war.

The number of troops in Iraq

The number of US troops in Iraq has fluctuated over the years. In 2007, there were around 170,000 US troops in Iraq, which was the peak number. In 2010, the US withdrew its troops from Iraq, but in 2014, the US redeployed some military forces to Iraq in order to help defeat ISIL. In 2020, there were 5,200 US troops in Iraq, and in September of that year, the US announced that it would reduce its troop levels in Iraq to 3,000.

In January 2021, there were 2,500 US troops in Iraq, and this number remained the same in March 2023. In July 2021, President Joe Biden announced that the US would end its combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year, with remaining US troops serving in an advisory and assistance role. The US combat mission formally concluded on 9 December 2021, and around 2,500 US troops remained in the country at the time.

The presence of US troops in Iraq has long been a flashpoint for Tehran, and tensions spiked after a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport in January 2020, which killed a top Iranian general. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, where US troops were stationed. More than 100 service members suffered traumatic brain injuries in the blasts.

The number of troops in Syria

The US troops in Syria are primarily special operators, working with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to fight the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS). The US also provides air support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to the SDF.

The presence of US troops in Syria serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps to prevent a resurgence of ISIS by supporting local forces in their fight against the terrorist group. Secondly, it provides a check on Russian and Iranian interests in the region. By maintaining a military presence, the US can obstruct Iran's goal of establishing a geographic corridor and prevent the Russian-backed Syrian government from accessing oil fields and agricultural resources in northeastern Syria.

However, the US troops in Syria have faced challenges, including attacks by Iranian-backed militias and Russian forces. These attacks have resulted in casualties and injuries among US personnel. Despite these challenges, as of 2021, the US intended to maintain its military presence in Syria for the foreseeable future.

The threat of domestic terrorism

White supremacists and other far-right-wing extremists pose the most significant domestic terrorism threat to the country. Since 2001, the number of fatalities caused by domestic violent extremists has ranged from 1 to 49 in a given year, with far-right-wing violent extremists responsible for the majority of these deaths. In recent years, there have been several high-profile fatal attacks perpetrated by white supremacists and neo-Nazis, including the 2015 Charleston church shooting, the 2017 Charlottesville attack, and the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

The FBI and DHS are actively investigating and prosecuting acts of domestic terrorism, with the number of FBI domestic terrorism investigations more than doubling since 2020. However, the nature of the threat is evolving, with lone offenders and small groups increasingly motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances. These individuals often radicalize online and act quickly, making them challenging to identify and disrupt. Additionally, foreign terrorist organizations continue to use media and online platforms to spread extremist messaging and call for attacks in the United States.

To address the evolving threat, the FBI and DHS collaborate and share information with federal, state, and local partners. DHS has designated domestic violent extremism as a "National Priority Area" and provides resources and grants to communities to enhance security and protect against potential attacks. The FBI relies on partnerships and tips from the public to identify and thwart attacks, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity.

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