Defense Department officials on Wednesday confirmed they will deploy the D.C. National Guard to help quell violent protests moments after supporters of President Donald Trump forcefully stormed the U.S. Capitol.

The statement followed reports that the entire Guard would move into the District following a request from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who initiated a curfew moments after the protests turned violent.

The move comes amid widespread concern about why D.C. Guard troops – hundreds of whom were already activated in a support role ahead of the planned protest – were not already positioned to prevent what turned into shocking images of armed protesters overtaking the seat of U.S. governmental power.

"We are in close contact with local and federal law enforcement agencies to review potential additional support requirements for the D.C. National Guard," the office of Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy wrote to U.S. News in an email.

Most National Guard units when operating in a civil environment are controlled by that state's governor, who responds to requests from local mayors. Since D.C. is not a state and does not have a governor, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has, by statute, delegated that responsibility for the D.C. Guard to the Army secretary.

A spokesman for acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller confirmed the deployment moments later.

"The D.C. Guard has been mobilized to provide support to federal law enforcement in the District. Acting Secretary Miller has been in contact with congressional leadership, and Secretary McCarthy has been working with the D.C. government. The law enforcement response will be led by the Department of Justice," spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam tweeted he would send members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia state troopers to D.C. at Bowser's request. He did not say where the Virginia Guard forces would deploy.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan Democrat, tweeted she had spoken with Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shortly after news of the deployment emerged and said he told her, "They are already in coordination with DC law enforcement in order to restore order."

Unconfirmed reports had circulated earlier in the day that the Pentagon denied an initial request by Bowser for more Guard support, followed by other reports that Guard troops would only replace police forces in D.C. so they could relocate to the U.S. Capitol to quell the protests.

Bowser later clarified in a press conference alongside McCarthy and the District's police chief, saying the Defense Department approved an initial request "two or three days ago" for support forces from the D.C. Guard.

McCarthy said a subsequent request, apparently earlier on Wednesday, resulted in "a little bit of confusion" amid concerns from the Defense Department about how the Guard troops would be employed. Ultimately, the Pentagon approved the deployment of the entire Guard.

"It's been incredibly fluid," McCarthy said. "I have to go through the secretary of defense ultimately to give the final approval."

In a separate statement, Pentagon spokesman Hoffman said, "Earlier this week, Mayor Bowser requested approximately 340 D.C. National Guardsmen to assist D.C. police in preparation for possible protests today. That request was approved. Today, the mayor requested the full activation of the D.C. Guard to support local and federal law enforcement as they respond to the situation at the Capitol. That request was approved. There have been no other requests from the D.C. government."