Murphy deploying NJ State Police to DC 'to facilitate the peaceful transition of power' as protesters converge on Capitol

Protesters enter the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
Protesters enter the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. Photo credit Win McNamee/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The New Jersey State Police are headed to Washington to assist with keeping law and order after protesters descended upon the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said, adding that he may also deploy the state's National Guard.

"At the request of DC officials, I am deploying the @NJSP to the District of Columbia to facilitate the peaceful transition of power & protect our democracy," Murphy tweeted. "We are prepared to deploy the @NJNationalGuard upon request. May God Bless America and our brave men and women in uniform.

Earlier in the day, when the siege on the U.S. Capitol began, Murphy tweeted, "We are witnessing one of the darkest days in American history. The President must immediately condemn the attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol and deploy the National Guard to keep Members of Congress safe and allow a peaceful transition of power."

Featured Image Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images