Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, the head of the Washington, D.C. National Guard, has been ordered removed from his command on Jan. 20 — just as Donald Trump is sworn in as president, The Washington Post reports.
His ouster — effective at 12:01 p.m. on Inauguration Day — comes after he spent months working with police and U.S. Secret Service officials on plans for the inaugural, according to the newspaper.
"The timing is extremely unusual," Schwartz told the Post. '
He will command members of the D.C. guard and an additional 5,000 unarmed troops coming from throughout the country to help.
But just before the parade begins, he will turn over command to an interim replacement.
"My troops will be on the street," said Schwartz, 65. "I'll see them off, but I won't be able to welcome them back to the armory.
Throughout the U.S., governors in each state appoint the National Guard commander.
However, in D.C., the responsibility falls to the president.
Schwartz says he never been told why he was removed.
"I'm a soldier," he said. "I'm a presidential appointee, therefore the president has the power to remove me."
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