MADISON (WKOW) -- Gov. Tony Evers has authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to help support Capitol Police with safety at the state Capitol Building.
The governor's office announced the move in a press release sent Monday.
"Gov. Tony Evers today authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to support Wisconsin's Capitol Police," the release said. "Members of the Wisconsin National Guard will mobilize to state active duty to support safety and security efforts at the State Capitol in Madison."
The units are part of the Wisconsin National Guard Reaction Force, consisting of troops trained to respond on short notice.
The soldiers will serve in support of the Capitol Police, the press release said.
"Once again, our state has asked our Citizen Soldiers in the Wisconsin National Guard to answer the call to keep our state, its citizens, and its institutions safe," Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin's adjutant general, said. "We ask a lot of our troops who must take leave from their civilian employers and their families, and I'm proud of the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to serve their fellow citizens."
The announcement came the same day as the FBI warned that"armed protests"were being planned for every state capital in the nation.
ABC News quoted the FBI bulletin as saying, "as of 10 January, armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January."
On Monday, workers began installing plywood over windows at the state Capitol in Madison.
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