Governor Carney Activates Delaware National Guard

January 16, 2021

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday signed Executive Order #47 [governor.delaware.gov], activating the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local authorities with activity around the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.

According to the order, the Guard may take proactive or responsive action at the direction of the Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), in consultation with the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS).

The order is effective immediately and will expire on January 22, 2021.

“Members of the Delaware National Guard have continued to step up – time and time again – to support their communities when that support is needed most. This time is no different,” said Governor Carney. “I want to thank all of our Delaware guardsmen and guardswomen for their selfless service to our state and country.”

 

 

EXECUTIVE ORDER
NUMBER FORTY-SEVEN
TO: HEADS OF ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
RE: NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORT FOR 2021 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

WHEREAS, I support the right of every citizen to peacefully protest and I believe that lawful assemblies are critical to our democracy, based in the constitutional protections that we all hold so dear; and

WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, protests in Washington, DC turned violent. Many persons traveled to the District armed and for the purpose of engaging in violence and destruction and engaged in violence and destruction. They breached the security of the Capitol and their destructive and riotous behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, federal law enforcement partners warn of armed protests at state capitols across America ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration; and

WHEREAS, Delaware law enforcement is currently monitoring available intelligence regarding protests planned in Wilmington, in Dover, and around Legislative Hall; and

WHEREAS, federal and local law enforcement have requested that the Delaware National Guard be available to assist law enforcement responding to protests expected from January 15, 2021-January 21, 2021, upon request; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 20, Chapter 1, Section 171 of the Delaware Code, in the best interest of the State, the Governor may call out units or members of the Delaware National Guard to serve on state duty status to plan for any impending emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN C. CARNEY, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby DECLARE and ORDERthe following:

1. The Delaware National Guard is hereby activated to State Active Duty to assist in 2021 presidential Inauguration-related activities, including, but not limited to, any protest activity.
2. The Delaware National Guard shall take precautionary or responsive actions as directed by the Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, upon request by state or local authorities to assist and support law enforcement in 2021 presidential Inauguration-related activities, including, but not limited to, any protest activity.
3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and expire on January 22, 2021.

APPROVED this 15th day of January 2021

John C. Carney
Governor

Click here to read Executive Order #47. [governor.delaware.gov]