Biden apologizes to National Guard chief after 5,000 soldiers had to reportedly sleep in a DC parking garage with only one bathroom

<p><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/600c14b17e47190011cb8e24-1500/pjimage%209.jpg" border="0" alt="troops biden national guard" data-mce-source="Getty Images" data-mce-caption="President Joe Biden apologized to the National Guard's chief after pictures emerged of troops sleeping in parking lots."></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>President Joe Biden has called the chief of the National Guard Bureau to apologize after images circulated online of troops sleeping in a parking garage.</p><p>Biden also asked what could be done to help these National Guard members, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55775517">BBC reported</a>.</p><p>Following the Capitol insurrection on January 6, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/national-guard-volunteer-deploy-capitol-2021-1">roughly 25,000 troops were deployed</a> to Washington DC to bolster Biden's inauguration security.</p><p>During breaks between shifts, these troops were previously <a href="https://www.google.com/search'safe=off&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB930GB930&amp;sxsrf=ALeKk004kOg2e0lAsZ4r9u1nEs8HdcXLMA%3A1611402858114&amp;ei=ag4MYN7BBsat5NoPube28AM&amp;q=national+guard+capitol+floor+business+insider&amp;oq=national+guard+capitol+floor+business+insider&amp;gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzIHCCEQChCgAToECCMQJzoLCC4QsQMQgwEQkQI6BAgAEEM6BAguEEM6CAguELEDEJECOgcIABDJAxBDOgUIABCRAjoNCAAQsQMQgwEQFBCHAjoNCC4QsQMQgwEQFBCHAjoQCAAQsQMQgwEQyQMQFBCHAjoLCC4QsQMQxwEQowI6BwgAELEDEEM6BAgAEAM6BQgAELEDOgIIADoICAAQsQMQgwE6BwgAEMkDEAM6CggAEMkDEBQQhwI6BQgAEMkDOggIIRAWEB0QHjoFCCEQoAE6BQghEKsCOgUIIRCSA1Da2BVYzfgVYI_5FWgAcAJ4AIABxwGIAfswkgEEMC40MpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrAAQE&amp;sclient=psy-ab&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjensq3_7HuAhXGFlkFHbmbDT4Q4dUDCA0&amp;uact=5">finding locations inside the Capitol complex to sleep</a>.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-inauguration-military-occupied-washington-dc-never-forget-trump-2021-1">Biden's inauguration was held in a sad, military-occupied DC. Never forget how Trump got us here.</a></em></p><p>However, National Guard members were ordered to vacate congressional grounds and take their breaks elsewhere on Thursday, according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/21/national-guard-troops-vacate-capitol-461220">Politico</a>.</p><p>This resulted in thousands of troops choosing to nap outdoors or in public garages, reported <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/01/national-guard-sent-to-parking-garage-biden-apologizes.html">Intelligencer</a>.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation=""><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We obtained these photos of National Guard troops packed in a parking garage on the Senate side of the Capitol. Huge Covid risk. <a href="https://t.co/Od2Db02pm1">pic.twitter.com/Od2Db02pm1</a></p> Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1352412376331640833'ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p></p><p>The decision has since been reversed. A joint statement from the US National Guard and US Capitol Police on Friday said that off-duty troops would now be housed in "appropriate spaces," according to the BBC.</p><p>Nonetheless, the viral images of National Guard members lying on the concrete floor of a parking garage drew widespread condemnation.</p><p>Both Democrats and Republicans have <a href="https://www.insider.com/national-guardsmen-reportedly-forced-out-of-capitol-2021-1">demanded a swift investigation</a>.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation=""><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our troops deserve the utmost honor &amp; respect for securing the Capitol &amp; defending democracy this week. <br><br>This is unconscionable &amp; unsafe. Whoevers decision this was to house our National Guardsmen &amp; women in underground parking lots must be held accountable. <a href="https://t.co/mBwpoog6YC">pic.twitter.com/mBwpoog6YC</a></p> Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1352462624328454149'ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation=""><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yeah this is not okay.<br><br>My office is free this week to any service members whod like to use it for a break or take nap on the couch. Well stock up on snacks for you all too.<br><br>(Were in the middle of moving offices and its a bit messy so dont judge, but make yourself at home!) <a href="https://t.co/JyEvC4kg6o">https://t.co/JyEvC4kg6o</a></p> Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1352452462255419392'ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p></p><p>The incident is now being investigated by the Senate Rules Committee, Sen. Roy Blunt told Politico.</p><p>The ad-hoc sleeping arrangements put troops in close contact with moving cars and exhaust fumes, soldiers told <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/01/21/national-guard-senate-garage/">The Washington Post</a>.</p><p>It also increased the risk of catching COVID-19. Hundreds of troops have already <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/national-guard-troops-defending-dc-test-positive-for-covid-19-2021-1">tested positive</a> since the siege of the US Capitol building, according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/22/national-guard-coronavirus-461340">Politico</a>.</p><p>One garageused by up to 5,000 troops had only one bathroom, the media outlet reported.</p><p>It also lacked internet reception and had just one electrical outlet, Politico said.</p><p>On Friday, new First Lady <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jill-biden-thanks-guard-members-with-chocolate-chip-cookies-2021-1">Jill Biden took a detour</a> to deliver chocolate chip cookies to National Guard members.</p><p>She said this was to thank them for keeping the Biden family safe.</p><p>Of the 25,000 National Guard troops remaining near the Capitol, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/national-guard-volunteer-deploy-capitol-2021-1">almost 15,000 troops are expected to return</a> to their respective states this week.</p><p>Up to 7,000 may be asked to remain in Washington, DC until mid-March, according to<a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/22/national-guard-plans-ask-thousands-of-troops-remain-dc-until-mid-march.html" data-analytics-module="summary_bullets" data-analytics-post-depth="0" data-uri="4410f4107833837d7a330ad32600fdbe">Military.com</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/national-guard-biden-apologises-troops-that-slept-in-parking-lot-2021-1#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/london-streets-left-deserted-during-covid-19-lockdown-2020-3">Inside London during COVID-19 lockdown</a></p>
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