The federal government fails to honor obligations to National Guard members Peter Lucier January 25 Soldiers in the Maryland Army National Guard use the back of the soldier in front of them to fill out their medical paperwork to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the U.S. Capitol Complex in Washington on Jan. 14, 2021. (Sgt. Chazz Kibler/National Guard) When Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, he did so under the protection and observation of 26,000 National Guardsmen. These men and women were activated from across the nation, spurred on by the events of Jan. 6, when a violent mob stormed the Capitol building intent on subverting a free and fair election.