Ohio National Guard Mobilized To Protect Ohio Statehouse

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio National Guard, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement will be out "in force" this weekend to protect the Ohio Statehouse and Columbus, Gov. Mike DeWine announced.

The beefed up security comes after credible threats toward the Ohio Statehouse were discovered following the U.S. Capitol riot. DeWine said there has been information indicating a possible attack in Columbus, but would not reveal specific details. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said he will not allow violence, harm or intimidation to dominate his city.

To that end, the National Guard has been mobilized to support the Highway Patrol and Columbus police as they patrol and defend the city over the next several days. The Statehouse will soon be surrounded by fencing, and will also be closed through the weekend and will remain closed until Wednesday. All state government buildings in Columbus will also be closed during that time span. Columbus residents are being asked to stay away from downtown through Wednesday.

Ginther also said that if the protests become violent, police will be allowed to use tear gas and other measures. Columbus Chief of Police Thomas Quinlan said rules of engagement with protesters, or rioters, will be clearly defined for officers.

"We will have control over who is deploying what," Quinlan said.

While emphasizing his respect for Ohioans ability to protest peacefully, DeWine said he will not allow violence to spiral out of control in Columbus.

"The sad truth is that some people want to turn peaceful protests into opportunities for violence. These are violent people. And their violence will not be tolerated in Ohio," DeWine said. He said law enforcement's directives will be to first protect life and then protect property.

Ohio National Guard Major General John Harris said forces would be available to any Ohio city and could perform a variety of functions, including crowd control, if needed. DeWine declined to comment on whether or not there has been credible threats made towards other Ohio cities besides Columbus.

"We have a strong relationship with our mayors, as we demonstrated this summer. If the Guard is needed to back up local police, they will be there," DeWine said.

Guardsmen will be authorized to use deadly force to protect themselves, if the situation arises, officials said. Harris said many options will be exhausted before deadly force is used, including the use of irritants like tear gas.

The governor is also sending 700 members of the Ohio National Guard to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House voted to impeach President Donald Trump after rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol. During that riot, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a siege that resulted in five deaths — including the beating death of a Capitol Police officer, multiple arrests and a sprawling FBI investigation. Washington, D.C. is on high alert as it prepares for the inauguration of Biden.