Army initially pushed to deny D.C. mayor’s request for National Guard before Jan. 6 The Army ultimately relented after the Capitol had been overrun and the Army got pressure from Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley. By Paul Sonne, Peter Hermann, Ellen Nakashima and Matt ZapotoskyThe Washington Post Share The Army initially pushed to reject the Washington, D.C., government's request for a modest National Guard presence ahead of the Jan. 6 rally that led to the Capitol riot. Guard troops were sent hours after the Capitol had been overrun by violent insurrectionists. John Minchillo/Associated Press