Sen. Inhofe Demands Answers After National Guardsmen Were Booted From US Capitol

National Guard members kicked out of the U.S. Capitol have been allowed to return.

There was swift bipartisan backlash Thursday night over a plan to move some National Guard troops out of the Capitol.

After a barrage on incoming criticism, the service members were allowed to return to the Capitol.

However, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma is demanding answers to why the change happened in the first place.

“I was shocked and really angry last night,” Inhofe said. “When I heard that the guard were being made to feel like they were unwelcome by some person in the Capitol police.” 

CBS News reported Capitol police asked the National Guard to relocate their troops about 3 p.m. Thursday. They were using Capitol hallways to take breaks during their shifts.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, called it completely unacceptable.

“There is plenty of room in the Senate office buildings to use for the times they need to rest. They need to be allowed to rest in the buildings immediately,” Lankford said in a tweet.

None of the guardsmen relocated were from Oklahoma who were taking breaks elsewhere.

“You have to get to the bottom of it and that’s what we’re doing now, we’re getting answers,” Inhofe said. “This isn’t a blame game, but I do want to know what happened to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

While taking breaks on shift in the Capitol, the troops are sleeping in hotels once their shifts 12-hour shifts are over.

The Oklahoma National Guardsmen, many of whom served in the Ukraine and Afghanistan, said the living conditions in D.C. weren’t too bad.

“We’re staying at several different hotels just outside the D.C. area, around northern Virginia,” Oklahoma National Guard Lt. Tomas Meget said. “The food's been really nice. Actually some of the best rations I’ve had since I’ve been in the guard.”

“If you’re ever told at any point that you need to vacate and don’t have a comfortable place, just go to Russell 205 and I’ll make sure you’ll be very comfortable in my office,” Inhofe said from the Senate floor.

Oklahoma's 400 soldiers and airmen will be returning on Saturday from Washington D.C.