The D.C. National Guard plays a significant and special role in Presidential Inaugurations, a tradition starting in the earliest days of our nation. The National Guard has been present at every Presidential Inauguration, starting with an honor detail which rode with President Washington in recognition of his time as Virginia’s militia commander. The D.C. National Guard has consistently supported presidential inaugurations beginning with the 1860 Inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 triggered several southern states to secede from the Union. There was no secret service at the time, but Lieutenant General Winfield Scott ordered the D.C. Militia to protect the president-elect from harm. The D.C. Militia guarded the parade route, sappers preceded the president-elect, and cavalry rode alongside him, bucking their horses to make it difficult for snipers to get a lock.
The D.C. National Guard's support of the inauguration has also incorporated the assistance of both Army and Air National Guard units from across the states and territories, with the D.C. National Guard as the lead unit. This was evident during the 58th Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, which included the support of 7,800 National Guard personnel from the District of Columbia, 43 states and 3 territories. Additionally, the D.C. Guard provides stand-by support for State of the Union Addresses and other events for the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.
More than 7,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 44 states, two territories and the District of Columbia, are sworn in as Special Police for the 58th Presidential Inauguration in 2013. This swearing-in ceremony is a formal protocol that allows troops to perform their specific duties within the D.C. area.