'Last night was a disaster': Gov. Jay Nixon says National Guard presence will more than triple

When Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon first announced in a press conference that the National Guard was part of the state’s contingency plan to deal with rioting, demonstrators and others accused him of unnecessarily militarizing the police response to demonstrations by bringing in “tanks” to deal with unarmed protesters. After Monday night’s rioting and many incidents of arson, though, today’s question was, “Where was the National Guard?”

In a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, Nixon announced that the National Guard presence in Ferguson would more than triple tonight, from 700 national guardsmen to 2,200.

https://twitter.com/juliebosman/status/537366615541555202

“Last night was a disaster, and we’re prepared to team up again with the National Guard.” — Missouri Highway Patrol chief #Ferguson

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) November 25, 2014

Jay Nixon says they're considering keeping West Florissant shut down. Right now it is considered a crime scene. #Ferguson

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) November 25, 2014

MO Governor says Nat'l Guard will increase from 700 to 2200 tonight. pic.twitter.com/ChUbYg8X0x

— Chris Hayes (@ChrisHayesTV) November 25, 2014

Colonel Ronald Replogle, of the Missouri Highway Patrol: "We will work harder and we will not have a repeat of what happened last night."

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 25, 2014

@ChrisHayesTV @AntonioFrench think the issue was deployment of resources not lack of them

— Mark Kawada (@Mark_Kawada) November 25, 2014

@ChrisHayesTV #JayNixon sending guard to #ferguson the night AFTER it burned! Arsonists will strike elsewhere tonight, U bumpkin, U dolt

— JockUlar (@Jockular) November 25, 2014

&#039;Last night was a disaster&#039;: Gov. Jay Nixon says National Guard presence will more than triple

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'Last night was a disaster': Gov. Jay Nixon says National Guard presence will more than triple