Hundreds of National Guard troops have been stationed in Washington, D.C. to assist with the handling of trucker convoy demonstrations planned to begin this week, according to officials.

The deployments of the guards, which had been requested by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the United States Capitol Police, were approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to the DOD (USCP).

"The people who live, work, and visit the District are part of our community, and their safety is our top mission priority," D.C. National Guard commanding general Maj. Gen. Sherrie L. McCandless said in a statement to the media.

"Our MPD and USCP allies have requested for our assistance in ensuring that people may peacefully and securely demonstrate, and we are ready to help."

Around 400 soldiers of the D.C. National Guard will be allowed to "offer support at designated traffic points, conduct command and control, and cover sustainment requirements" as a result of the clearance.

Guards stationed in the area will be unarmed and will not assist law police or conduct domestic surveillance. There are no aircraft that have been certified for usage.

On Feb. 20, 2022, in Lansing, Michigan, American flags fly as automobiles queue up to participate in a Freedom Convoy protesting COVID limitations and demanding election audits.

According to Breitbart, Austin also accepted USCP's request for up to 300 National Guard personnel from outside the Washington region to assist at select traffic stops and Capitol access points. According to Breitbart, this will commence later than 7 a.m. on Saturday, February 26. In addition, 50 massive tactical vehicles will be stationed at specified traffic checkpoints in the region on a 24-hour basis.

The Pentagon spokeswoman was contacted for comment by HNewsWire.

The Pentagon's spokesman, John Kirby, said in a statement to news outlets on Tuesday that the department was "analyzing a request for assistance from the United States Capitol Police and the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency."

"Those agencies have requested National Guard cooperation at traffic control points in and around the District to assist the USCP and the D.C. government in addressing potential issues emanating from expected traffic interruptions at important traffic arteries." "No decisions on whether or not to grant these requests have been made yet," Kirby stressed.

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) has said that increased security is being planned in the nation's capital ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech on March 1, which is expected to coincide with the trucker convoy demonstrations.

Several convoys are preparing to go to the Washington region in protest of President Joe Biden's administration's COVID-19 vaccination regulations, as well as other concerns and policies.

Similar protests took place in Canada in recent weeks, forcing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to use the Emergencies Act for the first time in the country's history to freeze demonstrators' bank accounts.

Protesters leave in a truck convoy at the US border crossing in Coutts, Alberta, on Feb. 15, 2022, after demonstrating for over two weeks against COVID-19 requirements. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

On Jan. 29, 2022, during the Freedom Convoy rallies against COVID-19 vaccination requirements and other restrictions on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, protesters stand on the back of a truck. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

On Feb. 20, Canadian politician Mark Strahl stated that a single mother earning minimum wage was one among those whose bank accounts were seized after she gave $50 to the Freedom Convoy.

The demonstrations, according to Trudeau, are "blockading" the economy and democracy.

According to Bob Bolus, the leader of one of the U.S. trucker convoys, the Capital Beltway, a 64-mile Interstate Highway that encircles Washington, would be closed to traffic.

"We're going to shut down," Bolus predicted.

"It's a shame if it causes traffic congestion," Bolus added. "Then [people] should stay at home since it would be disruptive." It doesn't matter to me if it was deemed an accident on the Beltway and traffic was backed up. It will be what it will be. We have every right to be on the Beltway, as well as any other route in the United States' interstate system."

Bolus, on the other hand, stated that the convoy will be calm and that lanes will be kept free for emergency vehicles. He declined to say whether the truckers intend to intentionally impede traffic.

The city of Washington, D.C. issued a warning to residents on Tuesday in advance of the trucker convoy's arrival.

According to a screenshot tweeted by Fox DC reporter Lindsay Watts, the notice stated, "Mayor [Muriel] Bowser is being informed by public safety authorities as we continue to watch the situation closely, and our agencies stay in regular touch with their local, regional, and federal partners."

"Layered mitigating measures are being implemented, some of which will be visible to the public and others which will not," according to the notice. "As we gather resources to help our public safety workers, we appreciate the acceptance of our D.C. National Guard traffic support request."