ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday he immediately mobilized state police and national guard members when asked to go to Washington to help protect the U.S. Capitol, but the state was repeatedly denied permission before finally being authorized to send help by a defense official.
The Republican governor spoke at a news conference about the state’s response, a day after supporters of President Donald Trump breached the Capitol.
“There’s been ongoing discussions with all the federal agencies and all of our state agencies for a long time about the inauguration, which we’re always involved in, but this particular mission yesterday, you know, it just seemed to be a little dysfunctional,” Hogan said.
The District of Columbia submitted a direct request for help, Hogan said, and he immediately mobilized state police and the National Guard. However, Hogan said the state was repeatedly denied approval.
Hogan said he was in the middle of a videoconference with the Japanese ambassador to the United States when his chief of staff came in to tell him that “the U.S. Capitol was under attack.” Hogan said he immediately excused himself from the videoconference and convened an emergency meeting to mobilize state troopers and the National Guard.