Pentagon, lambasted for heavy response in the past, on sideline during Capitol melee

The decision to deploy the D.C. Guard was up to Miller. Though he discussed the situation with Vice President Pence, it was Miller who ultimately authorized the full deployment, according to a senior U.S. official, who noted that the vice president doesn’t have the power to make that decision because he isn’t in the chain of command.

Because D.C. is not a state, the D.C. Guard answers to the president, but he has delegated authority to command the capital’s guardsmen to Miller and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy — two of the top officials at the Pentagon…

Last year, during the racial justice protests, Trump ordered a vast contingent of guardsmen onto the streets of Washington and fell out with Pentagon leadership after his defense secretary warned against deploying active-troops under the Insurrection Act in the capital’s streets. But as the president’s supporters signaled their intent to descend upon Congress this week, Trump issued no such orders.