National Guard troops leave US Capitol more than 4 months after January 6th riot By Natalie Rubino National Guard troops leave US Capitol more than 4 months after January 6th riot More than 2,000 National Guard troops called in to secure the nation's capital after the January 6th attack are headed home. WASHINGTON - More than 2,000 National Guard troops called in to secure the nation's capital after the January 6th attack are headed home. The National Guard left D.C. at midnight Monday. The number of troops guarding the Capitol has decreased as members were sent home every few months. The National Guard was called in following the January 6th riots. Over 25,000 troops were guarding the District on Inauguration Day.