Even as recriminations continue, Pentagon officials have for the second time in a year adjusted decision-making for the District Guard in the hopes of ensuring a nimble response. That was the case in June, when District Guardsmen were on hand when uniformed federal personnel forcibly cleared crowds of demonstrators and a District Guard helicopter flew dangerously low over protesters. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, to activate that state's National Guard ahead of planned protests at the Capitol. Pentagon officials suggested that additional Guard activations could follow in coming days. But officials have also said they will not be able to screen all National Guard members involved for extremist affiliations, as some lawmakers have requested.
