As many as 15,000 National Guardsmen could be in U.S. capital for presidential inauguration

As many as 15,000 National Guard members could be deployed in Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration events for Democrat Joe Biden.

At least 10,000 will be in the nation's capital by Saturday, the leader of the National Guard said, according to the Associated Press. And the number of National Guardsmen in town could ultimately rise as high as 15,000.

Right now, 6,000 National Guardsmen are the capital.

About 9,000 Guardsmen were in the district for President Obama's inauguration, National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson told to the Wall Street Journal. He indicated that he has authorization for as many 15,000 for this year's events.