West Virginia’s governor says it is inappropriate to ask questions about whether members of the National Guard patrolling Washington, D.C., are prepared to quickly and efficiently respond with firearms in case of attack.

“I can assure folks that the people that we send in — anytime you’re sending anyone potentially in harm’s way, you want to make sure that they’re fully prepared, they’re very well trained,” Morrisey said on MetroNews Midday.

In response to a question about Guard members’ readiness to defend themselves, he continued, “I can assure people that they are.”

More detail about defensive readiness than that, the governor went on to say, should be off limits to the public.

West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot Nov. 26 at the corner of 17th and I Streets NW. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day, and Wolfe continues to recover from serious injuries.

A major with the National Guard who was nearby shot the suspect with his service weapon as the attacker was trying to reload his own gun, investigators said.

Authorities have said the suspect in the shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, came around a corner, raised his gun and fired at Guardsmen who were gathered at the location near a Metro stop. He has been formally charged with murder.

Lakanwal, 29, drove from his home in the state of Washington. He had previously worked with CIA-backed counterterrorism units in Afghanistan known as Zero Units. He had a Special Immigrant Visa because of that work but apparently had significant struggles adjusting to life in the United States.

“This is a tragedy that resulted from an ambush. It was nothing to do with their readiness posture. So specialist Beckstrom was attacked from behind at point blank range by a member of a CIA backed paramilitary unit, you know, a terrorist. So this was really important,” Morrisey said on MetroNews Midday.

Warnings of possible danger

At least two memos introduced into evidence by attorneys representing the Trump administration in a federal court case challenging the presence of the National Guard in the nation’s capital make reference to potential danger for operations under Joint Task Force-D.C.

“JTC-DC service members may expect a heightened threat environment while supporting the “Make DC Safe and Beautiful” mission within the NCR,” according to an August advisory memo filed in the federal court case and referring to activity in the national capital region.

“Threat/nefarious actors engaging in grievance based violence and those inspired by foreign terrorist organizations may view the MDCSB mission as a target of opportunity. Additionally, civilian populations with varying political views may attempt to engage with JTF-DC SMs.”

On August 23, the commanding general of the D.C. National Guard gave an order allowing members supporting the mission in the district to carry their service-issued weapons after careful consideration of the security environment. Guard members on the mission were to carry M17 pistols, intended for personal protection.

In early December, after the shootings, the Pentagon reiterated The Pentagon that every National Guard member deployed in Washington D.C., would now be armed with live weapons.

An overriding question has been readiness to engage — whether the service weapons and ammunition were in position to be used quickly in case of attack.

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On statewide radio, the governor said the specifics of Guard’s access to weapons is not for the public to know.

“You know, it’s absolutely wrong to try to publicize everyone’s weapons readiness, sensitive operational information, if it could endanger the Guardsmen who are working in D.C. I think they are irresponsible questions, to be blunt. We have to protect our people,” Morrisey said.

“I don’t know why people would want to have everything about ‘This is exactly the operational information you need when you’re out in the field’ and you could subject our Guardsmen to harm. That’s outrageous, and I’m not going to do it.”

D.C. mission continues, and so do questions

On August 11, President Donald Trump declared a “crime emergency” for the District of Columbia, and just a few days later Governor Morrisey deployed 300 to 400 members of the West Virginia National Guard for support.

That developed as, on August 12, Leland Blanchard, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, sent an email to James Seward, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard.

“Was told by SECARMY’s office that your governor has been in contact with SECARMY and may be willing to support ongoing operations in DC,” Blanchard wrote in an email that later appeared among the filings in the federal court case.

Blanchard went on to say work was still ongoing to determine tasks, “but wondering if you have some insights on number of personnel you might have to put against this mission once we get there.”

Seward responded to say, depending on orders and funding, that West Virginia could provide an estimated 500 to 600 Guard members. “Please let us know what we can do to help.”

The president’s emergency declaration, which placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal direction, expired after 30 days, Sept. 10, but the National Guard presence continued.

About 2,000 members of the National Guard, overall, have been deployed to Washington, D.C., to patrol on the National Mall, in Metro public transportation stations and across D.C. neighborhoods.

Last month, the West Virginia National Guard announced participation in patrols in Washington, D.C., would continue until the end of the year. However, the mission was being scaled back.

About 160 West Virginia National Guard volunteers were approved to remain in D.C. All personnel not continuing as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission returned to West Virginia.

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In a Dec. 1 press conference with the governor, Major General Seward of the West Virginia National Guard, said members “are trained professionals; they are deputized U.S. marshals in the district. When they’re on patrol they’re armed, and they are trained.”

That press conference included a question from MetroNews about what precautions or self-defense National Guard members were prepared to use as they were deployed to the city where crime emergency conditions were described as the basis from the outset.

The response was in general terms.

“These are people that are trained, and they have knowledge of the situation they’re going into. These are the same people going to all corners of the globe. They’re trained in terms of difficult circumstances,” Morrisey said, concluding “We believe they have the background and training to go in to Washington, D.C., to carry out the mission.”

The West Virginia National Guard specified in an August statement that members were providing support in “areas of sustainment, logistics, administration, public affairs and Joint Staff augmentation.

“Security missions include static and roving presence patrols.” That meant standing or walking in high-traffic areas and at Metro public transit stations along with assistance to U.S. Park Police.

The Democratic caucus in the state Legislature has formally requested an oversight hearing during January interim meetings to examine the circumstances surrounding the deployment of West Virginia National Guard members to Washington, D.C.

The proposed hearing would require testimony from leaders of the West Virginia National Guard and representatives from the Office of the Governor. Democrats say it is a necessary step to ensure future deployments are made lawfully, purposefully and with appropriate safeguards.

“Our Guard members serve with honor. We owe them answers,” said Delegate John Williams, D- Monongalia.

“This tragedy demands a clear and factual review so that lessons are learned and protections strengthened moving forward.”