NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced on Friday they are each increasing the number of National Guard troops being sent to Washington in light of threats of violence surrounding Wednesday's presidential inauguration.
New York state is sending an additional 250 troops, adding to the 1,000 troops it sent last week, "to support the security efforts surrounding Inauguration Day and to aid and facilitate the peaceful transition of presidential power," Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
He added, "The peaceful transfer of power is central to our Democracy, and New York State will do everything in our power to help protect that basic American right."
Connecticut, meanwhile, is adding 200 troops to its initial deployment of 100 National Guard members. Connecticut is also contributing equipment and supplies to facilitate in the effort, including ambulances, Gov. Ned Lamont's office said.
"At the request of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, I am approving the deployment of an additional 200 members of the Connecticut National Guard to Washington, D.C., to aid in the effort to protect our democracy during the upcoming inauguration," Lamont said. "The peaceful transfer of power is a central tenet of American democracy, and Connecticut stands ready to aid in the protection of our country."
And New Jersey, according to NBC New York, will send an additional 100 National Guard troops on top of the previous 500 members it announced last week it was sending.
